Just a Highland Fling: A Novel

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, Fiction, Scotland

Kindle Edition

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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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

[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.

[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.

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a copy of this eARC.

Just a Highland Fling follows Neelu, who has gone to Scotland for her estranged fathers wedding. She meets Jacob, a one night stand (or so she thought) until he is also at the wedding, and one road trip later...

This book was absolutely fantastic. Neelu was a great character, she felt very real, especially in her emotional responses to both her father and with Jacob. I loved seeing her reconnect with her father and have important conversations with him about why he wasn't a part of her life growing up and why he didn't try harder. It was mirrored well in her relationship with Jacob, and offered up good justification and reasoning for why she would be reluctant to get into something long distance and her feelings of not being enough.

Her relationship with Jacob was beautiful and they had amazing chemistry. I loved watching them fall in love and just want to be with each other and spend more time together. Jacob was also a great character and had an emotional backstory surrounding his grief and how to overcome that and not get trapped in it.

Overall, I can not recommend this book enough. It had me feeling all the feelings and rooting for them (and who doesn't love a man in a kilt and elbow patches)! This was my first read by Naina Kumar and I am definitely going to go read her other stuff.

[LiteratiGlitterati · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - I love angst and pain lol so this really worked for me. I did notice this is the second book in a row where Naina Kumar wrote a couple that think the other hates them and it’s kind of catastrophic miscommunication (though lasts a shorter time in this book than in Flirting With Disaster). Is this her niche kink? 😂 jkjk, but it was a good romance where they actually listened to each other and learned who the other was and it felt like there was real depth to their connection.

Family/parent issues deeply stress me out in books so this was a little tough but luckily as a reader you could kind of see Ajit’s motivations and difficulty opening up and still know there was a lot of care under the surface, so you weren’t as pained by it as Neelu. I’m glad we got a pretty satisfying resolution to this, AS WELL AS, a good romance. (Because… that is not always the case and though I know representation of those perpetually strained relationships is also valid, for me it’s really tough to read and not get to some place of mutual understanding and increased respect and recognition. This one delivers those things!)

Last comment is when the title was released, before we had a blurb, I had a moment of excitement thinking Naina Kumar was venturing into historical romance! While this was not that, it’s now in the back of my mind hoping someday she writes one 👀

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Neelu viaja a Escocia para asistir a la boda de su padre, un compromiso familiar que despierta viejas heridas y emociones que preferiría seguir ignorando. Acostumbrada a una vida nómada y caótica, Neelu no planea quedarse más tiempo del necesario ni involucrarse con nadie durante su estancia.
Esa determinación se tambalea cuando conoce a Jacob, un hombre tranquilo, metódico y profundamente arraigado a su ciudad, cuya rutina choca con la impulsividad de ella. Lo que inicia como una conexión inesperada se convierte en días compartidos, conversaciones honestas y una atracción que ninguno estaba buscando.
Con la boda acercándose y sus realidades opuestas cada vez más claras, deberán decidir si su vínculo es solo un recuerdo destinado a quedarse en Escocia o si vale la pena arriesgar la comodidad, el miedo y la distancia por algo que podría cambiarles la vida.

__

Me gusto la parte del romance, fue tierno. Lo que no me gusto fue la parte de Neelu y su padre, para mi los padres abandonadores no merecen perdón solo por estar viejos y enfermos. Esperaba que el señor de verdad demostrara que quería construir una relación con Neelu, cosa que no hizo.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Topo Chicas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naina Kumar has done it again! This book has it all - scenic Scotland views, hot bagpipers, forced proximity, and witty banter. You’ll laugh, cry, and swoon throughout!

Neelu travels to Scotland for a quick trip to see her estranged father get married and make an exit. But sparks fly when Neelu and Jacob unexpectedly meet in a pub. They decide it is simpler to just keep it simple and leave it at just one night. But after a series of unfortunate missteps leads to the bride running away, Neelu, Neelu’s dad, and Jacob set out on a roadtrip across the country to get her back. As they travel around Scotland, sparks just can’t seem to be tamped out as easily as they would have hoped.

This was such a fun and lovely read! I adored the banter between Neelu and Jacob - truly top tier chemistry. I loved how much tension there was throughout, which made the payoff that much better. The steam was soooo good, while also helping to propel the characters’ relationship development. I also appreciated getting to see Neelu and Ajit’s relationship evolve throughout. It felt real and, at times, quite emotional/heartfelt. Definitely one of my favorites from 2025!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine-Dell for the ARC!

[Alli Cyphert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a Highland Fling was a quick-reading, heartwarming romance. I was excited to have access to this story because of the setting in Scotland - my favorite country to visit!

Neelu is in Scotland for her dad’s wedding after her parents split when she was young, her mom moving her to Los Angelos. She never expected to see her one-night stand at her father’s wedding rehearsal dinner the next day, but seeing him there starts them on a journey through the highlands and through past hurt and trauma and the start of healing.
I didn’t expect to encounter a deeper exploration of Neelu’s complicated relationship with her dad. That story line was really relatable.

The only critique I have is that the speaking parts of the book read more like a tv show or movie, meaning there’s a lot of starting and stopping sentences indicating uncertainty or nerves, and after too much of this style of writing it became difficult to focus, on what the characters were actually trying to communicate. I do appreciate that there was no major miscommunication between the main characters :)

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book though - I flew through it in 2 days! I’m really grateful to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for letting me read this book before its release!!

(P.s. it’s steamy)

[Natalie Intihar · Rating 5 out of 5]

After meeting Naina Kumar last year at a book signing, I fell completely in love with her books. When I saw that Just a Highland Fling was available, I was SO excited! The love story between Neelu and Jacob is everything. This story is tender and warm in all the right places, with intense chemistry but also deep emotions as well.

There’s so much in this book about family, second chances, and being brave even while scared. Neelu’s journey through Scotland felt like so much more than just a road trip. I wanted Neelu and Jacob to end up together (duh!) but I also wanted Neelu to find peace and reconciliation with her father. She’s such a real character that it’s hard to imagine her not existing right in front of me!

This story was amazing, and I was completely along for the ride. Just a Highland Fling felt like such a real and honest love story, and I loved that so much. If you haven’t read a Naina Kumar book- and you should- this is definitely one to pick up!!!

Thank you to Ballantine and Dell for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to allow me to read and give my honest opinion on this arc.

This was my first time reading a book from Naina Kumar. I first asked for the arc because I love a good Scottish Romcom. I was happy see an new story between two people trying to find their way through life under stressful time. Neelu is coming to Scotland to be at her estranged father's wedding. She met a handsome Indian man in a pub that just clicked with her. Their spice level is top notch right off the go and the fun of not saying who they are or anything personal made their time together so much better. Coming to the wedding rehearsal dinner though all goes down hill from there when they find each other there and figure out who the other is to her father. Both need to work through things that have happened in their past that they are projecting on each other. I loved that the communication bases is good once they start being more open about past wounds that have been holding them back to opening their hearts to others and their families.

Naina was great at having some laugh out loud moments, heart breaking and many people could relate to what they are going through.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
Bagpipes, poetry and glasses, what more could you be looking for in your leading man? This one is for anyone who has dreamed of visiting Scottland, I can’t say that I have ever considered visiting before but after reading this book I definitely want to go 😊

Neelu goes to Scottland to attend her estranged fathers wedding, but finds herself entangled in a dreamy vacation fling. What starts as the most wonderful one night stand, picks back up again when Neelu sees her one night stand, Jacob is the bagpiper for her dads wedding. The wedding goes south when the bride runs away and Neelu soon finds herself on a road trip across Scottland with her father and Jacob her one night stand, who now seems to hate her. Will the road trip bring them all together, repair all three relationships or will it drive them apart forever?

This was such a fun read, some family drama mixed in with good humor, sweet romantic moments and the sights and foods of Scottland. I loved Jacob and his poetry and elbow patches a dream MMC for sure.

[Renu S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this novel via NetGalley.

I really enjoyed Just a Highland Fling, particularly because of the nuanced backstories of the main characters, Neelu and Jacob. Their pasts added a rich depth to the story, allowing me to connect with them on a personal level and understand their motivations more fully. (Although there were times that I found both Jacob and Neelu both very frustrating! I needed to remind myself that they are still growing as people and have inner trauma they are dealing with throughout the story.) The settings were vividly described, providing a true sense of escape that drew me in completely. The emotional journey was intense and heartfelt, making the highs and lows feel genuine and impactful throughout the narrative.

I found myself wanting to know more about the side characters, Ajit and Maggie, and see their relationships with Neelu and Jacob develop further. At times, the romance felt a bit too slow of a burn for me. Even so, the strengths in character development and immersive setting made this an enjoyable read that I’d recommend.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Release date July 21, 2026
Scotland
Forced proximity
Contemporary romance
HEA

Starts with a bang: “This is your fault.” And I can’t even argue with him. It absolutely is. Oh snap.

Funny and relatable: “This trip-like the bangs dripping across my forehead- was a mistake, an impulsive decision made in a moment of weakness.”

She really captured that level of openness and honesty you can only have with a total stranger you know you’ll never see again. Love that.

Lawwddd have mercy. When he tells her what do to. 🫠

FMC is late 20’s-early 30’s. I love it when the main characters are actual adults and not teens who are portrayed as adults. (Me in other books I won’t name but iykyk-Like, how am I supposed to take this guy seriously as a sexy- head of mafia-bad boy? He is in college ergo still lives with his mommy and daddy…no, can’t do it.)

The only negative thing I have to say is the fact that they all talk with a LOT of false starts and it gets old reading that. Example: “I—about what?” They go to say one thing, abruptly change their mind and start another sentence. They do this so much….almost every other thing they say is a false start. I know people talk like that in real life and it’s very natural and normal…I guess reading it just hits different.

Neelam is such a beautiful name. I’ve never heard of it before and never read a book with it. So original. Love it.

I happened to be wearing a sweater with elbow patches the day I started reading this book. Pure coincidence. But I love how much she brings up that sweater. Elbow patches and “Brains” for the win.

Dang. The thing between the dad and his fiancé was anticlimactic af. I feel like that wasn’t resolved for me at all. She acted so blase about running out on her own wedding and causing a huge scene and upsetting the people she loves and making them worried sick. No one gave her a hard time about it? No one was like wtf lady?

[Alex Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Dell Romance for the ARC of this one! Wow, I am officially a Naina Kumar super fan and will read every thing she writes. All 3 of her books have been 5 stars beyond for me and this one was great! The title of this one definitely lends itself to making you think this will be a lighter romance, but it actually has an incredible amount of depth. The story tackles very difficult topics including grief and parental estrangement in a very delicate way . The characters were real and raw and easy to root for and the love story was just may favorite.

The book follows Neelu as she travels to Scotland to be there for her estranged father's wedding. Before she attends any wedding festivities she meets a handsome stranger and has a one night stand. Their connection is instantaneous, but they agree to keep it to the one night since she lives in another country. When she shows up at the rehearsal dinner, it turns out that her one night stand, who she finds out is named Jacob, knows her dad and future step mom. Things get even more complicated when the bride runs away and they end up on a cross country road trip with her dad to track the bride down. The tension is fantastic their connection is palpable. I was rooting for them so hard and I loved their love story. The setting in Scotland was also a fun addition! I will definitely be recommending this one!