Just a Highland Fling

by Naina Kumar

Sparks fly on a road trip through the Scottish highlands in this delightful forced proximity romance from the bestselling author of Flirting With Disaster.

Neelu Pillai makes a last-minute decision to fly to Scotland for her estranged father's wedding with one goal: get in and get out with as little conflict as possible. But when her tipsy tirade at the rehearsal dinner is the reason her father gets left at the altar, she agrees to help him track down his runaway bride.

There’s just one problem: the third member of this road trip through the highlands is the hot desi bagpiper from the wedding, who just happens to be Neelu’s recent one-night stand. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other a few nights ago, but now he can’t seem to stand her.

Their journey to Skye is certainly not smooth, but as the two work through the obstacles, doing their best to reunite Neelu’s father with his bride, they realize that there’s more to each other than meets the eye. And that the electric connection they’d felt the night they met is still as strong as ever…

Fiery first impressions, fierce clashes, and undeniable chemistry make for a bumpy ride through the Highlands in this swoony, witty romance about family, forgiveness, and finding love where you least expect it.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Scotland

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 21, 2026

About the author

Naina Kumar is the USA Today Bestselling author of Say You’ll Be Mine and Flirting with Disaster. A former civil rights lawyer, she now spends her days writing and reading about love. Her books have been featured in The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, The Guardian, and elsewhere. She lives in Texas, and if she’s not at her desk writing her next book, she’s either taking her rowdy rescue dog on a walk or shopping at HEB. 

Sign up for Naina's newsletter here: https://nkumarwrites.substack.com

Content warnings for all of her books can be found at her website: nainakumar.com/home/books

Reviews

[Lochi's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naina Kumar is one of the authors part of my auto-buy/auto-read lexicon and it all started back in 2024 with Say You'll Be Mine (pre-bookish content creator me). I remember stumbling upon the bright pink cover, reading the synopsis and then settling in with the book and being shockingly enamoured. But then came Flirting with Disaster, now that was my absolute jam, Naina was flexing her writing muscles and as a reader it's always wonderful to see an author's growth in each of their books.

With Just a Highland Fling, I truly feel Naina has stepped into her own and it's her strongest outing. The momentum isn't letting up largely because it feels original. In a vast sea of romance novels being spewed at readers, originality is becoming hard to celebrate with many settling for mediocrity as the "next best thing" when in reality there's so much more to discover.

With Just a Highland Fling we're off to Scotland and it's charms (EEK THE SHEEP!), following Neelu and Jacob as they chase down a run-away bride, unresolved parental trauma, and remnants of a one-night-stand (blossoming into something more). The glasses wearing, poetry writing, bag-pipe playing Jacob and the globetrotting, reality television producer have outstanding chemistry. I loved every minute of this book and it's largely because Neelu's character arc really got me.

I'll leave one spoiler: Heather (once you read the book, you'll understand).

Leaving a quote cause I love doing this:
"He's writing about me. These things that scare him, that enchant him, that frustrate him. Things that he'll miss when they're gone. My head reels".

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely beautiful! I am a huge fan of Naina’s books! Flirting with Disaster is one of the best books I’ve ever read! And now this one is added to the list! There were a lot of moving parts but it all came together so well. Between the romance and the roadtrip and grief and Neelu and her father reconnecting, it just was so beautifully written!

Jacob and Neelu!!!! They were perfect! Their instant connection was amazing. They knew it was something special even if they knew it wasn’t going anywhere….until IT DID!!! I loved them A LOT. Jacob is SWEET! I loved how easily (once they talked through things!!!!) they fell for each other. They were so affectionate and sweet and they came to care about each other so much in such short time it was just SO SWEET!

Everything was so complicated between Neelu and her father and the way Jacob perceived their past. And it took a while for them really get to the bottom of things and it was so important and necessary for them to do that work to feel comfortable to open up.

Thank you to Dell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Katie McNeely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bring back writing poetry for loved ones. MORE POETRY IN 2026!

[Rachael McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 - releasing on 7/21/26

This is one of my favorite romance novels I have read in a long time! I had so many elements that worked for me. Amazing chemistry between the main characters that was rooted in both an emotional and physical connection. A beautiful scenic background (trip to the Scottish highlands anyone??). It also focused on navigating real interpersonal issues including dealing with parental estrangement and grief. They worked together to overcome obstacles and you were really rooting for them to work. I loved it so much! Perfect to pick up for a summer romance when it comes out in July!


Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

[Alexis Breeze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I love a messy family dynamic. Neelu feels so incredibly real, complicated, and in desperate need of a hug. As a child of divorce, I was so drawn to Neelu’s relationship with her father and seeing the differences between who she’s built him up to be in her head vs who he has grown to be. Kumar’s writing was enchanting, I could not stop myself from staying up late to finish! Neelu is also balancing her attraction and frustration with Jacob while a rehearsal dinner over share with the bride-to-be turns into a runaway bride. Now, she’s jammed in her rental car with her father she hasn’t seen in years and her one night stand who is incredible close to her father… piece of cake? (Also featuring hot bagpiping)

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED Just a Highland Fling! I already knew that I enjoyed Naina Kumar's books, but this has solidified her as an auto-buy/auto-read author for me. Naina Kumar really came up with an interesting and complex story that felt so fresh and new. Our FMC, Neelu, makes a last minute decision to attend her estranged father's wedding in Scotland, gets a little tipsy and maybe says some things to the bride she regrets, ends up joining her father to chase his runaway bride across the Scottish countryside, and is joined by her recent one-night stand who now despises her for some unknown reason. I was intrigued by the plot and was curious how it was going to last for he length of a book. I should never have questioned Naina Kumar. The story was so original, and I didn't want to put it down!

I also felt a special connection in this book with the family dynamics of Neelu and her closeness to her mother and being estranged from her father. I found myself sympathizing with her in so many ways and relating them back to some of my memories growing up. I don't know that everyone will relate to this to the same extent that I did, but it creates a special complexity in the book and really shows the how the characters are growing.

I also loved the romance between Neelu and Jacob. They had such chemistry and seemed to understand each other in a really special way. I liked the dynamic where they had an instant connection and then had a conflict between them. It forced them to really get to know each other, and I loved seeing how they won over the other person and also grew together.

I cannot recommend this book enough! I am going to be thinking about it for a while.

Thank you to Ballantine | Dell, NetGalley, and the author, Naina Kumar, for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Thank you, NetGalley for choosing me to be an arc for this book. The book takes place in Europe and starts out as a one night stand MFC with MMC that she meets at a bar and then later finds out that he is a part of the wedding of her, very distant father that she has come all this way to attend the wedding of. During the rehearsal dinner, she says some things to the bride to be that scares her away, which gets into the main storyline of them chasing the bride to be. The FMC, her father and the man she had a one night stand with go on a road trip to find the bride. All the while, tension grows between the one night stand in herself, and it is a choice of what will happen when she has to go back to the US after all the chasing is over.

I overall enjoyed this book. It was corny and cheesy but its a romance novel so its expected. You know from the beginning how it is gonna end, but it was still cute. Nonetheless, there’s more to the book than romance though. You get to know all the characters and how the distant relationship between her and her father came to be. You also get to see whether things get repaired between them. There is always the element of if she ends up with a man that they both said in the beginning was just going to be a one night thing.

[Allison Agresti · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley and Ballantine/Dell in exchange for an honest review.

I know it’s early in the year and this may be a bold claim but I do believe this book is on track to be one of my favorite and most memorable contemporary romances of 2026. Naina Kumar elevated herself into auto-read/purchase territory with this one.

Neelu and Jacob’s chemistry was crackling from the very beginning and you really felt the emotional depth of their connection. The way past trauma and fear impacted both of them was crystal clear on the page. I felt as though I walked alongside them as they moved through that in order to show up for each other. It really was beautiful. Can we also just take a moment to acknowledge what a good man and perfect book boyfriend Jacob is? I rarely feel that way about a male lead but he was pretty near perfect.

Other things I loved- the Scotland adventure aspect (I want to book a trip ASAP!), the sweet relationship between Ajit and Maggie and how it in some ways mirrored what was happening with Neelu and Jacob, and Neelu’s slow stop/start healing of her relationship with her father that felt viscerally realistic.

Everyone go read this book when it’s released! It’s such a gem.

[Jessica Steed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I thought this book was beautiful! Did I read it all in one day and spend that day crying? Why yes I, in fact, did. Do I think a normal person would cry while reading this book? I have no idea but what I do know is it pierced through the stony texture of my traumatized millennial with daddy issues heart and I was not prepared.
This book had so much more in it that I thought I was going to and I think it will be living rent free in my brain for quite a while. I thought I was just signing up for a fun little one night stand to forced proximity romcom and is it that? Yeah, definitely, but it was also just so much more. It had the fun and cute but also complicated relationships ties, grief, and fear of vulnerability. And that's not even mentioning that he wears slutty little glasses too!!
While I don't know if this book will hit the very personal nerves that it did me for everyone, I would very much recommend this book if you're looking for a romcom that has way more heart than expected.

[Rae Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was something so incredibly light-hearted and hopeful about this book, despite some of the heavier topics and themes that occur throughout this novel.

I really appreciate that Jacob was a poet and expressed himself through writing. Overall it was really lovely to see an MMC who was softer and in touch with himself and his emotions.

Neelu was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed her dynamic with Jacob. Plus, it was nice to see her work through her complicated emotions regarding her father.

Overall, a really solid book and I’m excited to read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC for review!

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I love this cover. The color and the illustration are beautiful. It suits the story very well. Second, I’ve read Nani’s Kumar’s other books and now I can say she gets better with every book. LOVED this one. Neelu and Jacob are my favorite couple now. I’ve been to Scotland and it made me want to travel there again. This was really everything I want from a contemporary romance. The characters were relatable, and I liked that there was so more to it than “just” the romance. Thank you for ARC, I’m so glad I got to read this early and will recommend it to everyone!

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

This was my favorite Naina book by a landslide. I rooted for Jacob and Neelu the entire way through. I deeply related to Jacob having lost my own parents at a young age. Neelu has a complicated relationship with her father, but Jacob sees him as a second father for himself. I enjoyed the road trip through Scotland and appreciated the messiness of their relationship. It felt honest and realistic.

[Molly Smiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Dell for the e-arc copy!



This book was pure joy! Naina Kumar delivers a charming, witty romance set against a dreamy Scottish backdrop that feels like a warm hug. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and the banter had me grinning from start to finish.
What really stood out were the emotional moments woven throughout the story—they added depth and heart without losing the fun, flirty vibe. It’s the perfect mix of humor, swoon, and genuine feels.
If you love destination romances, vibrant characters, and that irresistible mix of laughter and tenderness, this is a must-read. I closed the book smiling—and immediately wanted to book a trip to Scotland!

[Sana Raj · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute favorite romance I’ve read all year!

[Kleio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been lamenting the abundance of cheesy bordering on objectifying romance novels set in Scotland and thank goodness for Naina Kumar. This novel is the antidote for all of the shit out there.

Neelu finds herself in Scotland for her estranged father's wedding. She has a one night stand the day she arrives, jet-lagged and exhausted and then draws a mental line under it. There were no names, no ties, no promises. Understandably, she's not happy to see the man in question at her dad's pre wedding reception. Jacob turns out to be part of her father's 'found family.' He's equally horrified to find out that Neelu is Ajit's daughter, who wasn't around to support him during his recent health problems.

Neelu has way too much to drink and goes off on the bride to be about how her dad abandoned her as a child, triggering Maggie to flee the altar. In the days that follow, Ajit, Neelu, and Jacob take a road trip to the isle of Skye, where the couple was supposed to have their honeymoon. Neelu (reality tv producer) and Jacob (professorial Desi Scottish bagpiper/poet-yes the MMC we deserve) have to get past what they think they know about each other to help Ajit find Maggie.

I really can't do this book justice in a review. It was a complete joy to read but it's not light or fluffy like the title or cover art would lead you to believe. It's about grief and loss, two things I do not like to read about, but I still think of this as one of the best books I've read all year. Kumar's novel is about how our childhood experiences shape us profoundly, and how sometimes we have to reexamine these beliefs that have become part of us and see if we can grow and forgive. How it can be heartbreaking but also a gift to see our parents act in ways they weren't capable of when we were young and needed more. The emotional arcs of these characters were so well-developed and human. I loved all of it.

I also loved that this is a diaspora story--about the pain and complexity of being removed from family and culture, and also important things like food and art are to maintaining cultural ties and creating the feeling of home.

Naina Kumar is one of my new favorite authors.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special thanks to Dell Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this in advance. All opinions and words are my own.

Just a Highland Fling by Naina Kumar was my first read from this author, and it completely won me over. I’m already excited to read more and have ordered two of her previous books. This story reminded me why I fell in love with the romance genre in the first place. I laughed, I cried, and I was hooked from the very beginning. If it weren’t for nursing school, I would have finished this in a single sitting because it was hard to focus on anything else. The Scotland setting felt vivid and immersive. And even though I’ve never traveled beyond California’s familiar warmth, the descriptions made the Scottish Highlands feel so real that it was as if I was experiencing them right alongside the characters. What really made this book hit close to home was how thoughtfully it explored relationships in all forms, not just romance. The story dives into evolving friendships, complicated family dynamics, and the quiet self-doubt that can creep in over time. The main character struggles with wondering whether the people she loves, including her father, ever truly cared, and seeing those fears challenged and softened was both emotional and comforting. It also thoughtfully explored the uncertainty of long-distance love and the fear of whether something meaningful can survive across miles. As you get older, life gets busier, priorities shift, and it becomes easier to pull away rather than reach out. This book captured how that hesitation often comes from our own doubts rather than a lack of love on the other side. Watching the main character choose connection anyway felt both validating and hopeful. The emotional tension and yearning between the leads was compelling, the intimate moments felt fresh and natural, and the male lead was genuinely charming without being over-the-top. Neelu and Jacob’s story even made me want to take bigger risks and imagine a bolder future for myself.

Overall, this is a story that will continue to stay with me and one I would happily reread. Very well done.

[Aamira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

When my friend recommended this book to me, I knew I needed to request it ASAP. I’m so glad my request got accepted.

This book took me on an emotional journey. There was so much nuance between Neelu and her estranged father. I felt all of the conflicting feelings that Neelu was experience. That’s a tribute to Kumar’s writing. She hooks you in emotionally until the final scene. This was more than a love story (which I will get into soon). It was an emotional journey of a woman questioning her place in the relationships in her life and coming to terms with her fear of abandonment. It was beautifully portrayed in its rawness and messiness.

From the moment they first met, the chemistry between Neelu and Jacob was palpable. It felt grounded in reality, and reminded me of those special moments in life where you find a deep connection with a stranger that’s meaningful despite the brevity of your relationship. I was rooting for them to find a way to make the impossible circumstances they faced work. Both characters are complex and dealing with very real issues. While both are dealing with fears of abandonment, Jacob’s fear underlies his grief for the loved ones he’s lost. He’s such a brave character. Despite his fear of losing another loved one, he’s honest with Neelu from the very beginning. In fact, the honest communication between the two was so refreshing and welcome. No miscommunication here. I often shy away from first person POV because we only ever get a sense of the romantic interest through the perception of the MC, but this was not the case here at all. We get a very clear sense of who Jacob is and what he feels, and we as readers get to see the complexities of his fears and his loving heart.

This book had me in tears at certain moments and laughing at others. It’s such a wonderfully written story filled with lots of love. You get the sense that Kumar really loved these characters and in a way you can’t help but feel the same way!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m starting this review at the 68% point in my reading. I just have to get some of my thoughts in writing before finishing the book. Yes, the tension and yearning is doing something for me, but the portrayal of grief is doing more. Jacob has encountered profound life changing loss over and over again. As a result, he is quiet, sticks to his routine and is incredibly lonely. Jacob and Neelu meeting when they both, whether they admit it, have closed hearts is so incredibly real.

Finished the book. My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
I’m going to start with what I didn’t like, which wasn’t much. The use of the word “uncle” when Jacob addresses Arjit feels disjointed. Maybe it would make more sense if he called Maggie “aunt,” but he just calls her Maggie. It feels a little forced to establish more of a connection between Arjit and Jacob. I don’t think it’s needed, the two have a close bond and we see it mostly through the way Jacob admires and defends Arjit. One more thing that took me out of the story a bit was the miscommunication trope between Neelu and her mom, because what do you mean she didn’t really know that her mom left her dad and not the other way around… It feels like something a person would know about their parents no matter how young they were when it happened. It’s a topic that would be discussed, especially with such a close relationship as Neelu and her mom have.
Ok, getting to the good stuff. The spice was subtle enough to not detract from the plot, but still incredibly hot, which I appreciate. Everything was giving Ali Hazelwood vibes, the sweet meet cute with the MMC, but nothing felt like it was overly predictable. I live for that.. Arjit and Maggie's storyline was also interesting, I liked their ending and the growth we see within Arjit., the patience he displays while Maggie sorts her feelings... we need that in every man. Ultimately, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

brb I'm going to go read every Naina Kumar book I can get my hands on.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew we needed a desi bagpiper in our romance roster? Naina Kumar just created the loveliest microtrope, and I’m all here for it. Just a Highland Fling begins with a bold start, with a runaway bride in Scotland. Backtrack to two days earlier when our protagonist Neelu arrives in Aberdeen, and sparks fly when she meets Jacob on a rainy day in a pub. The two share a uniquely sweet and intimate time together, but little do they know they’ll both be attending Neelu’s father’s wedding that weekend. That’s where their connection becomes muddied by pre-conceived notions and complex family dynamics.
This novel does a great job balancing tough topics, such as complicated parent relationships, acknowledging different types of grief, and difficulties of navigating adult friendship. Naina Kumar is also endlessly funny in the book’s situational humor and her hot takes on kilts and bagpipes. I am also just a huge fan of our FMC Neelu: her straightforwardness, her compassion, how she works to deal with the complex grief in her life. Jacob, our MMC, is a bagpiping nerdy sweetheart who has so much love to give. The two complement each other so well in their differences, and their chemistry is sincerely been one of my romance faves.
The initial conflicts were primarily based on assumptions and misunderstandings, but it made sense to me considering the complicated history of our characters. The dialogue is written in such a natural-sounding manner than the characters truly felt real to me. While the final act of the novel felt a tad slow and repetitive, I appreciated the mental hurdles the characters had to go through to choose their own happiness.
Overall I adored this story about love and family, and overcoming fears. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves exploring new countries and loves an Emily Henry-level sweet and deep romance.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Naina Kumar for the ARC!

What a hot start! Our story begins with a one night stand between two strangers. What begins as an instant flame quickly melts into disaster. Our FMC is visiting Scotland to attend her estranged father’s wedding. While stumbling into town she comes across a cute ‘brain’ and brings him back to her hotel room for the night. The next day the pair unexpectedly reunite at her father’s wedding and let’s just say things don’t go well and second impressions fail hard.

Our FMC’s father is left at the altar by a run-away bride.The trio embark on a trip from Aberdeen to Isle of Skye to find the bride, and the road to redemption for the three is anything but smooth. Between a car breakdown, getting stuck in a herd of sheep, and complicated relationships, emotions are heated.

Neelu, our FMC, and Jacob, our FMC are both delightful. The characters are written in such a realistic way. While Neelu and Jacob initially can’t see eye to eye, they realize the magnetism between them as time goes on. They help each other work through variations of grief and connect on an empathetic level.

When Neelu and her father began the process of rebuilding their relationship, tears welled up in my eyes. It was a series of tender moments. What I truly appreciated here was how Kumar showed true human emotion. There was no instant forgiveness or resolution, but a build of understanding and trust over time.

Overall, I enjoyed ‘Just a Highland Fling.’ It’s a solid romance novel made unique with Kumar’s heritage shining through the characters and nuanced family relationships. The ‘happy ever after’ was expected, but the amount of love and light-hearted humor surrounding difficult topics was not. I absolutely recommend ‘Just a Highland Fling’ as well as Naina Kumar’s other books.

[Savannah Fernelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine, and Naina Kumar for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went into Just a Highland Fling genuinely excited because I’d previously read Naina Kumar’s sophomore novel, Flirting with Disaster, and really enjoyed how straightforward and refreshing her writing felt. Her voice there was clean, accessible, and emotionally grounded, exactly the kind of rom-com style that works for me.

This time around, though, the execution didn’t quite land as smoothly. The biggest issue for me was the punctuation and syntax. It felt like every other sentence had the FMC and MMC stumbling over their words, and while I understand that can sometimes be used to convey nerves or chemistry, here it became distracting. Instead of feeling charming or organic, the constant interruptions in dialogue pulled me out of the story and made reading feel more tedious than it needed to be.

The plot also dragged more than I expected. The premise is fun and I was fully on board at the start, but as the story went on, the pacing slowed enough that it risked losing the initial momentum that hooked me in the first place. A bit of tightening in the middle would have gone a long way in keeping the energy consistent.

That said, there’s still a lot to like here. Kumar clearly knows how to craft appealing characters and a romantic setup that should work, and often does. While Just a Highland Fling didn’t quite match the ease and flow I loved in Flirting with Disaster, it’s still an enjoyable read overall, just one that could’ve benefited from sharper editing and a leaner plot.

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-catching, isn't it?

Brightly hued book cover featuring the silhouettes of Neelu and Jacob, that is.

Turns out this is a consistent feature by the author in all of her books; albeit, her characters' silhouettes are set against different pastel colored covers. As consistent as the author is on the outside, she is as well on the inside.

"Just a Highland Fling" flips this script in more ways than one. Set in Scotland, it's Neelu who is the world traveler rather than the MMC. Her role in reality tv gives a contemporary flare to the story. She's also at the pinnacle of her career working hand in hand with another female executive in the television industry. Too often novels cater to assumptions that males dominate those fields or are the ones that are the ones sweeping into town to whisk the female character away.

Jacob is her polar opposite. He craves comfort in the familiar. He also makes assumptions of Neelu which results in an unexpected adversarial interaction; that is, after a passionate introduction (that was a surprise to this reader). With the latter, initially feared the too quick encounter would devolve into a messy read. If anything, it was riveting to see how distrust evolved into understanding.

Moreover, this novel is a gentle reminder as to assumptions. Believe most have a profile of what a Scottish bagpiper's physical appearance should be and this book, happily turns that on its head with Jacob's character.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Ballantine | Dell, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #JustaHighlandFling #NetGalley

[Alejandra Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has officially cemented Naina Kumar as an auto-buy author for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC — I truly loved my time with this story.
Naina Kumar has a gift for writing romances that are entertaining and swoon-worthy while also offering a thoughtful lens on how family and culture shape our identities and relationships. This novel balances humor and emotional depth beautifully.
The romance is top-tier. The MMC is what dreams are made of: steady, protective, a brainy academic with glasses… who writes poetry. The chemistry sparkles from the start, and the forced proximity of a road trip only amplifies it.
The premise sets up so many funny moments. After accidentally causing her estranged father to be left at the altar, the FMC finds herself on a chaotic road trip with him and the MMC to win the bride back — all while pretending they didn’t share a one-night stand the day before the wedding. The hijinks are delightful, but the emotional undercurrent gives the story real weight.
What made this especially powerful for me was the portrayal of a complicated father-daughter relationship. Kumar captures the lingering heartbreak of divorce and the quiet distance that can grow between a father and daughter — both literal and emotional — with tenderness and care.
This book is perfect for readers who love:
Forced proximity and road trip romances
One-night-stand-to-more tension
Emotionally layered family dynamics
A swoony, steady hero
A heartfelt, funny, and deeply romantic story that lingers long after the final page. I cannot wait to read whatever Naina Kumar writes next.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Flirting with Disaster, and I was really happy to get to read Just a Highland Fling as well. Naina Kumar just knows how to write MMCs. Jacob is kind, sensitive, caring, emotionally intelligent (he gives GREAT apologies), communicative, and deeply supportive. Even when he initially distances himself because of his conflicting feelings, his pining and yearning for Neelu are still palpable (he writes poems about her!!). And when they finally take a chance on one another, he meets Neelu exactly where she is, never pressuring her to change her decisions, even when they aren’t what he wants. One of my favorite aspects of their relationship is how Neelu feels insecure about her job in reality TV, yet Jacob is completely nonjudgmental. He’s genuinely curious about her work and consistently encourages her dreams and goals, which made their dynamic feel genuine and grounded.

A significant part of the book also centers on Neelu’s relationship with her father. They are estranged and have a complicated history shaped by physical distance, misunderstandings, and generational differences. I think many readers with emotionally reserved, reticent fathers who express their love in quieter, more subtle ways will find this relationship particularly relatable. The growth on both sides is thoughtful and earned, and by the end of the book, their father–daughter bond feels stronger.

I really enjoyed reading this one! Naina Kumar is quickly becoming a must-read author for me.

Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neelu is a hard working producer for reality television but she’s currently in Scotland for her estranged father, Ajit’s wedding. She has a lot of strong feelings about this stemming from her father abandoning her mother when she was young so when she meets a hot “brains” type in a pub before the wedding, she ends up having an insanely hot one night stand for funsies. No names, no back story, no contact info. It’s super great–except he’s the bagpiper at the wedding. And basically a second son to her dad’s fiance, Maggie. And Neelu flipped out at the wedding and scared off Maggie so now Maggie is a runaway bride and Neelu has to fix this. And like fix everything else too.

Ok, I never knew I wanted an Indian-British poetry professor playing bagpipes in a kilt MMC until this book. Jacob is super appealing and I loved his that history and relationship with Maggie and Ajit played such a significant role in the plot. He’s not just there on the road trip for a good time. He’s there because Maggie is a mom to him and he loves them so much. He’s super sweet and devoted and still has feelings for Neelu even after he feels like she blew up Ajit and Maggie’s wedding. Neelu is interesting because she’s so conflicted. She had such positive feelings about Jacob during their meet-cute and one night stand but he changed so much after the wedding and she has a lot of unresolved parental issues she needed to address.

There are serious issues addressed in this book; parental conflict, feelings of abandonment, terminal illness, loss of loved ones, feelings of being part of but also separate from your family’s culture but it also had time to have some light hearted classic rom-com moments such as a road trip, only one bed, and lovers to enemies to reluctant teammates and back to lovers. I really appreciated that Indian culture was woven into the Scottish backdrop (highland cows cameo!). I like seeing romantic leads being something other than our typically fair skinned leads (a tan or olive skin tone is not diversity to me) especially when the characters are written in a way that doesn’t feel like tokenism or pandering.

I really liked Just a Highland Fling, it felt so rom-com to me and I loved the chemistry between the characters, trying to stay away from each other but being so connected that they can’t. I really like the wordplay in the title but I feel like it hides the fact that Indian identity is a pretty important element of the book. There are a lot of great moments in this book, I definitely recommend it for people who like lighthearted romance novels that are rooted in real emotions.

4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine/Dell Books for the ARC.

[nat ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you as always to NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this arc. ⋆˙⟡♡

Rating ✰: 3.5 rounded to a 4 for Goodreads

Review: I loved Naina Kumar's debut novel and I knew I wanted to read more by her so this was the perfect opportunity to do so, as soon as I saw the cover and name I hit that request button. As someone who has recently became obsessed with wanting to visit Scotland and Ireland, this made me fall in love more with it because the scenery and background that she provided was perfect, it felt like all the pictures you see on Pinterest. I didn't end up giving this a full four star because at some points I felt like the story was dragging a little bit and our main character had a lot of issues communicating that kind of annoyed me at times. Also I sometimes got a little lost on the timeline that we were following because it seemed like the romance regarding our main character moved kind of fast for the time they were spending together and for the things that happened and the sometimes lack of communication. We were kind of following two storylines but with only one POV, because we had Neelu's story and also her dad's story and two things we were trying to achieve. Something that I enjoyed about this story was the theme of grief that followed this story, not only the grief you feel by losing someone physically by death but also losing friends, an absent father and the mourning of relationships of people who are alive but you no longer know in that sense.

Can't wait to read more by this author.

[Trianna/Treereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been STRUGGLING with first person books lately. I've just found them too immediate and too close to the MC or franky just written in that tense bc it is popular. So I was skeptical but a booksta pal posted about this one so I wanted to give it a chance and I'm so glad I did!

Bc WOW does Naina Kumar know how to use first POV. Neelu isn't objective about certain things in her life and is very sure about how things worked out even though it is definitely HER perspective and not everyone's. This allows for conflict in a way that really works for the story. Seeing these blocks in Neelu's head really worked for me even though we as readers can tell there is more going on.

And SCOTTISH ROAD TRIP?! Say less. I loved all the small scottish elements and the quirks of any road trip. The fact that Neelu's dad was with them made it all the funnier.

I also really loved the romance. Neelu and Jacob meet at a bar the night before they actually meet and have what they think is a one night stand. Their flirting and banter was so cute right from the jump and I was invested! I cried!!

And the secondary romance with her dad was so lovely and sweet and I loved how it ended up inspired Neelu to make some changes in her career.

I WILL SAY I think reality tv producers are terrible people and that is really glossed over here which is fine bc it is fication and Neelu is a good one!! But definately had to turn that part of my brain off.

TW: death of parents/child/friend (not MC, but side characters)

*thanks to the publisher for an eARC; all thoughts are my own*

[Payton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book of kilts, roadtrips, and unfathomable longing. I want someone to invent the men in black mind eraser tool so I can read it for the first time again please and thank you!!!

There are so many descriptors in this book that resonated so sharply with me. The almost gleeful relief of clicking with someone. The stomach-dropping fear of disappointment or failure. The catch in your throat when you look at someone and think about how much you love them.

Neelu and Jacob see something in each other instantly. Kindred spirits, in more ways than one. And initially, they’re willing to let that slip away because letting it feel too real is an unsteady, terrifying thing. But being forced together - and being forced to look up-close at the fact that there really are two sides to everything - cracks them open entirely. And they are so, so, SO tender with each other.

There is something so joyful about way they fall into things with a sort of manufactured aloofness and then, with decreased subtlety, drag it out as long as possible. Their conversations, their car rides, their entire dynamic. They both try so hard to be open with each other without risking the hurt that comes with it, and of course their failing to do so is such a delight. And, if they’re brave, their willingness to risk their hearts for each other and find safety in it can allow them the bravery to do the same for the other people in their lives.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ What a lovely book, it was so sweet and moving. Neelu is in Scotland for her estranged father’s wedding when she meets a man in a bar the night before. They have a night together and go their separate ways in the morning, only to find out he’s involved in the wedding. Jacob is close to the bride and Neelu’s father. When the bride runs off leaving Neelu’s father at the alter the three embark on a trip to find her.

I was frustrated with Jacob at first for being so mad at Neelu and her not being there for her father when he was sick with cancer. Jacob didn’t understand Neelu’s relationship with him, and I was glad when she finally told him. Jacob was a good communicator when he finally realized he didn’t know the whole story.

It kept breaking my heart when Neelu wanted to keep their relationship surface level, since she was afraid of being left again. It was obvious Jacob was head over heels for her, but respecting her feelings. I liked that Neelu and her father were in a better place by the end of the book, but things weren’t fully resolved. There were many years worth of hurt to deal with and that couldn’t be resolved in a few weeks.

I really enjoyed Naina’s writing and the story flowed really well. I want the thank Ballantine and NetGalley for then opportunity to read this book. I voluntarily chose to leave a review.

3/5 on the Spicy Scale

M/F

Grief

Contemporary Romance

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🫑

This is my first Naina book and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed her storytelling and attention to detail. I look forward to read her other books as well!

The story focuses on Neelu who goes to Scotland for her father’s (Ajit) (who she hasn’t seen in years) wedding. While there she has a one night stand, Jacob, who ends up being someone who is close to Ajit and Ajit’s fiancé Maggie. This story centers on the adventure that Ajit, Neelu, and Jacob embarked on to find Maggie (who decides to run away from the wedding).

There is a lot of growth for the characters in this story. They learn more about themselves and each other. There is also watching Neelu and Jacob fight their feelings for each other and fall in love. I adored them together as a couple. We got a good amount of time of them being in different phases of their relationship in such a short time. Their love seems very genuine and they are an adorable couple. They both have some trauma and it was great to see them be patient with and support each other.

Although this story centers on Neelu and Jacob’s love story, we also get to see Maggie and Ajit be really sweet. I also loved watching the relationship between Ajit and Neelu start to be healed. Also Maggie and Neelu had a sweet dynamic as well.

I really enjoyed this read. The setting, characters, feelings, etc. made this a must read book. Thank you Naina and NetGalley for the ARC.