What do you think?
Rate this book
Suitcase Sisters #3
Shortbread in the Highlands
Cousins Nora and Allie are sent to Scotland to claim an inheritance but are hindered by delayed flights and canceled reservations before settling into a picture-perfect cottage. Surprised by an encounter with a man in a kilt and a visit from a nosy neighbor and her five Scottie dogs, the cousins begin to experience life in the village where their grandmother grew up. But a brewing mystery along with more delays make this adventure far different than they expected.
Undaunted, the Suitcase Sisters stock up on shortbread from the village bakery and explore the beauty of Scotland in autumn, beginning with a leisurely boat ride on Loch Lomond. Buoyed by laughter and shared childhood memories, they head to the Highlands for a tour of their ancestral castle and a luxurious stay at a resort.
An enchanting train ride returns them to the village, where a secret their sweet Gran hid from them all these years comes to light, and a final stop in Edinburgh holds more life-changing revelations for them.
On this armchair trek to Scotland, readers will experience a journey of surprises brimming with God's mysterious ways and the unbreakable bonds of family.
Undaunted, the Suitcase Sisters stock up on shortbread from the village bakery and explore the beauty of Scotland in autumn, beginning with a leisurely boat ride on Loch Lomond. Buoyed by laughter and shared childhood memories, they head to the Highlands for a tour of their ancestral castle and a luxurious stay at a resort.
An enchanting train ride returns them to the village, where a secret their sweet Gran hid from them all these years comes to light, and a final stop in Edinburgh holds more life-changing revelations for them.
On this armchair trek to Scotland, readers will experience a journey of surprises brimming with God's mysterious ways and the unbreakable bonds of family.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2026
About the author
Robin Jones Gunn
156 books2,842 followersROBIN JONES GUNN
Over 100 books, over 7 million copies sold worldwide.
Bestselling, award-winning works include fiction, non-fiction, gift books, devotionals, children's books, and memoir.
The Father Christmas books were made into three Hallmark Christmas movies.
Robin is an international speaker and co-hosts the Women Worth Knowing podcast in southern California where she and her husband live. They have a grown son and daughter and four grandchildren.
Over 100 books, over 7 million copies sold worldwide.
Bestselling, award-winning works include fiction, non-fiction, gift books, devotionals, children's books, and memoir.
The Father Christmas books were made into three Hallmark Christmas movies.
Robin is an international speaker and co-hosts the Women Worth Knowing podcast in southern California where she and her husband live. They have a grown son and daughter and four grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
July 13, 2026
This is my favorite in the Suitcase Sisters series. Not only that it's set in Scotland but I loved the characters and the storytelling.
I loved that this story was more about their life journeys and on where God was leading them. The prayers said by the main character were what my heart has been speaking lately. I know God was telling me some things while reading this book.
4.5⭐
*thank you to the publisher for a complimentary book, all thoughts are always my own.
I loved that this story was more about their life journeys and on where God was leading them. The prayers said by the main character were what my heart has been speaking lately. I know God was telling me some things while reading this book.
4.5⭐
*thank you to the publisher for a complimentary book, all thoughts are always my own.
September 8, 2026
4.5 stars
“Was this what it meant to rely on the tremendous creative purposes of God? To keep going and ride through the storm to reach where God was sending me?”
The standalone books in Robin Jones Gunn’s Suitcase Sisters series have taken us so far to Africa and Italy. While neither are places I’ve ever really had a desire to travel to, I nevertheless enjoyed being an armchair traveler along for the ride with each pair of friends we’ve met on these pages. But Scotland? That’s something else altogether. I have long wanted to visit Scotland, particularly if I can be holed up in a lovely little cottage in one of the quaint villages where the locals become friends by the time you leave. So you can imagine my eagerness to embark – however vicariously – on the trip to Scotland that close cousins Allie and Nora take in Shortbread in the Highlands! And honestly I couldn’t have ordered a more perfect Scottish vacation if I’d planned it myself…
Lovely little cottage in a quaint village? Check.
Locals who become friends by the time they leave? Check.
An inherited library with its share of secrets? Check
A hairy coo sighting? Check.
A man in a kilt? Check.
Fun traveling companions? Check.
Castles, lochs, and dogs in tams? Check, check, and check.
And, of course, shortbread!
Robin Jones Gunn’s talent at capturing the ‘mood’ of the scenery and the culture around them always helps me feel like I’m right there in whatever setting she’s describing, and I embraced this sense of immersion more than ever before in Shortbread in the Highlands. But I was also caught up in the mystery that sends Allie and Nora to their Gran’s childhood home of Kildregen in the first place… and then deeply moved by Nora’s spiritual growth while in Scotland. The snippets from one of my favorite devotionals and the meaning they come to have in Nora’s life really touched me, along with the way these ‘tremendous creative purposes of God’ show up for her. (Oh my stars… the tears I shed over one of those creative purposes becoming clear. You’ll know what I mean when you reach the end too.) This author is also so skilled at creating characters you want to spend time with, and charming cousins Allie and Nora are no exception. I enjoyed their close friendship and how it’s reflected in their laughter and their tears and even in the authenticity of their occasional irritation with one another.
Bottom Line: If your ideal vacation (armchair or otherwise) includes winding Scottish roads, hidden family history, a charming village, and moving faith conversations, then Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn belongs on your reading list. Nora and Allie’s mission to retrieve their Gran’s diary from the Highlands country home whose library they’ve just inherited captured my interest and eventually my whole heart, as did the cousins themselves and the eclectic mix of friends and surprises they accumulate along the way. The delightfully described setting makes me want to buy a plane ticket (and overcome my fear of flying lol) and so does the shortbread. But it was Nora’s personal journey and the gentle reminders about God’s guidance that I’ll be carrying away as a souvenir. Shortbread in the Highlands became my favorite of the Suitcase Sisters novels, and it would be a great next read for fans of armchair travel, Scottish accents, and book club fiction!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
“Was this what it meant to rely on the tremendous creative purposes of God? To keep going and ride through the storm to reach where God was sending me?”
The standalone books in Robin Jones Gunn’s Suitcase Sisters series have taken us so far to Africa and Italy. While neither are places I’ve ever really had a desire to travel to, I nevertheless enjoyed being an armchair traveler along for the ride with each pair of friends we’ve met on these pages. But Scotland? That’s something else altogether. I have long wanted to visit Scotland, particularly if I can be holed up in a lovely little cottage in one of the quaint villages where the locals become friends by the time you leave. So you can imagine my eagerness to embark – however vicariously – on the trip to Scotland that close cousins Allie and Nora take in Shortbread in the Highlands! And honestly I couldn’t have ordered a more perfect Scottish vacation if I’d planned it myself…
Lovely little cottage in a quaint village? Check.
Locals who become friends by the time they leave? Check.
An inherited library with its share of secrets? Check
A hairy coo sighting? Check.
A man in a kilt? Check.
Fun traveling companions? Check.
Castles, lochs, and dogs in tams? Check, check, and check.
And, of course, shortbread!
Robin Jones Gunn’s talent at capturing the ‘mood’ of the scenery and the culture around them always helps me feel like I’m right there in whatever setting she’s describing, and I embraced this sense of immersion more than ever before in Shortbread in the Highlands. But I was also caught up in the mystery that sends Allie and Nora to their Gran’s childhood home of Kildregen in the first place… and then deeply moved by Nora’s spiritual growth while in Scotland. The snippets from one of my favorite devotionals and the meaning they come to have in Nora’s life really touched me, along with the way these ‘tremendous creative purposes of God’ show up for her. (Oh my stars… the tears I shed over one of those creative purposes becoming clear. You’ll know what I mean when you reach the end too.) This author is also so skilled at creating characters you want to spend time with, and charming cousins Allie and Nora are no exception. I enjoyed their close friendship and how it’s reflected in their laughter and their tears and even in the authenticity of their occasional irritation with one another.
Bottom Line: If your ideal vacation (armchair or otherwise) includes winding Scottish roads, hidden family history, a charming village, and moving faith conversations, then Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn belongs on your reading list. Nora and Allie’s mission to retrieve their Gran’s diary from the Highlands country home whose library they’ve just inherited captured my interest and eventually my whole heart, as did the cousins themselves and the eclectic mix of friends and surprises they accumulate along the way. The delightfully described setting makes me want to buy a plane ticket (and overcome my fear of flying lol) and so does the shortbread. But it was Nora’s personal journey and the gentle reminders about God’s guidance that I’ll be carrying away as a souvenir. Shortbread in the Highlands became my favorite of the Suitcase Sisters novels, and it would be a great next read for fans of armchair travel, Scottish accents, and book club fiction!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 2, 2026
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚. 𝑻𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒅. 𝑻𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒈𝒐.”
Robin Jones Gunn always knows how to pull at my heartstrings, bringing out all of my emotions. This book spoke to my heart in so many ways! I could relate so much to Nora with the way she struggled with needing to control aspects of her life and having to learn to simply let go and let God. And then her relationship with Allie, her cousin separated by only three months in age, reminded me so much of my own relationship with my best friend and cousin, who is almost three months older than me. This was definitely a book for me 🥹
The strong message of learning to trust God—trusting Him with our deepest longings—and surrendering to Him even when we don’t understand His ways was just what I needed to hear. Multiple times the raw depth and vulnerability of the characters brought tears to my eyes. It was truly such a treat to be able to go along with these dear cousins on their journey to discovering what God had in store for their lives ❤️
I love all of the spiritual insight that RJG layers her stories with. Her books always provide such good, uplifting reading material and are so good for my spiritual life. I always come away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in the best way!
As per usual with The Suitcase Sisters stories, this book was alive with vivid descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, and flavors as the cousins traversed the wonders of Scotland! I always feel as though I’ve made the journey right along with the characters when I turn the final pages of these books.
"𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒅."
Robin Jones Gunn always knows how to pull at my heartstrings, bringing out all of my emotions. This book spoke to my heart in so many ways! I could relate so much to Nora with the way she struggled with needing to control aspects of her life and having to learn to simply let go and let God. And then her relationship with Allie, her cousin separated by only three months in age, reminded me so much of my own relationship with my best friend and cousin, who is almost three months older than me. This was definitely a book for me 🥹
The strong message of learning to trust God—trusting Him with our deepest longings—and surrendering to Him even when we don’t understand His ways was just what I needed to hear. Multiple times the raw depth and vulnerability of the characters brought tears to my eyes. It was truly such a treat to be able to go along with these dear cousins on their journey to discovering what God had in store for their lives ❤️
I love all of the spiritual insight that RJG layers her stories with. Her books always provide such good, uplifting reading material and are so good for my spiritual life. I always come away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in the best way!
As per usual with The Suitcase Sisters stories, this book was alive with vivid descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, and flavors as the cousins traversed the wonders of Scotland! I always feel as though I’ve made the journey right along with the characters when I turn the final pages of these books.
"𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒅."
June 18, 2026
Robins writing is truly magic. I cried. I exhaled deeply. I considered the things of God and found myself stopping to pray more. This was absolutely lovely. My favorite in the series!
August 25, 2026
This may be my favorite one of the Suitcase Sisters series. The cousin annoyed me throughout the book but the mystery and the sweet romance was lovely. Made me want a cup of Scottish breakfast tea this morning.
July 1, 2026
""When friends meet, hearts warm."
~Scottish saying
🍂This is the perfect cozy contemporary fiction read for autumn! This was my first time reading a Robin Jones Gunn book and I truly loved it. It’s filled with friendship, fall, food, and fun. This story made me feel like I was traveling through the Highlands too.
I enjoyed tagging along with cousins Allie and Nora as they traveled to Scotland on a quest to find something very special from their grandmother’s past. While there are some bumps along the way, the journey was so satisfying for me. If you’re looking for a sweet book that feels like a warm autumnal hug, you’ll want to give this a read!
5/5 ⭐️ I love and recommend this book!
🍂Read If You Like:
•America ➡️ Scotland
•Cozy Fall Feels
•Cousin Besties
•Contemporary Fiction
•Gentle Faith Messages
•Fresh Starts
•Delicious Food
•Cute Doggies
🧡Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
~Scottish saying
🍂This is the perfect cozy contemporary fiction read for autumn! This was my first time reading a Robin Jones Gunn book and I truly loved it. It’s filled with friendship, fall, food, and fun. This story made me feel like I was traveling through the Highlands too.
I enjoyed tagging along with cousins Allie and Nora as they traveled to Scotland on a quest to find something very special from their grandmother’s past. While there are some bumps along the way, the journey was so satisfying for me. If you’re looking for a sweet book that feels like a warm autumnal hug, you’ll want to give this a read!
5/5 ⭐️ I love and recommend this book!
🍂Read If You Like:
•America ➡️ Scotland
•Cozy Fall Feels
•Cousin Besties
•Contemporary Fiction
•Gentle Faith Messages
•Fresh Starts
•Delicious Food
•Cute Doggies
🧡Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 30, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
A perfectly timed read for me. I adore the easy, encouraging, autumnal tones of the book. Every chapter felt like being wrapped in a cozy blanket, sitting in front of a fire while it’s raining. Robin Jones Gunn did not forget a single trait of autumn to make this read cozy. This book made me fall in love with Scotland and added to my hope. The plot was simple yet clearly wrote of how trusting God is always the best choice even when we can’t understand how pieces are falling into place. Even though it was faith fiction read, I was able to relate to the character and be encouraged. The only drawback I have is that some of the scene transitions didn’t make sense and felt a bit lost at that. All in all, I appreciate this read.
A perfectly timed read for me. I adore the easy, encouraging, autumnal tones of the book. Every chapter felt like being wrapped in a cozy blanket, sitting in front of a fire while it’s raining. Robin Jones Gunn did not forget a single trait of autumn to make this read cozy. This book made me fall in love with Scotland and added to my hope. The plot was simple yet clearly wrote of how trusting God is always the best choice even when we can’t understand how pieces are falling into place. Even though it was faith fiction read, I was able to relate to the character and be encouraged. The only drawback I have is that some of the scene transitions didn’t make sense and felt a bit lost at that. All in all, I appreciate this read.
Read
July 30, 2026My favorite Suitcase Sisters novel to date! As always, Robin Gunn gives us likeable characters poised for personal growth, and vivid, swoony settings. Oh, Scottish Highlands! This one has an added layer of gentle mystery, and I was hooked throughout.
August 30, 2026
(3.5 stars rounded down) Scotland in the fall, cozy cottages, shortbread, ancestral castles, train rides through the Highlands, and strong themes of faith and family? If that sounds like your kind of story, Shortbread in the Highlands may be one to add to your list.
In this latest Suitcase Sisters adventure, cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to claim an inheritance. Along the way they encounter travel mishaps, unexpected discoveries, and family secrets while exploring the beauty of their grandmother’s homeland.
I really wanted to love this one. Between the Scottish setting and that cozy cover, it seemed like a perfect fit for me. While I enjoyed the themes of family and faith woven throughout the story, I found myself struggling to stay fully invested in the journey.
For me, the pacing felt a little slow, and after reading a couple books in this series, I’ve realized that travel adventures with lots of sightseeing, while enjoyable in real life, aren’t necessarily what I’m looking for in a novel.
That said, I know so many readers who love this series, and I can absolutely see the appeal. If you enjoy Christian contemporary fiction, armchair travel, cozy settings, and stories centered on faith, family, and adventure, this may be just the book for you. ☺️💛
Thank you @revellfiction for the review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
In this latest Suitcase Sisters adventure, cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to claim an inheritance. Along the way they encounter travel mishaps, unexpected discoveries, and family secrets while exploring the beauty of their grandmother’s homeland.
I really wanted to love this one. Between the Scottish setting and that cozy cover, it seemed like a perfect fit for me. While I enjoyed the themes of family and faith woven throughout the story, I found myself struggling to stay fully invested in the journey.
For me, the pacing felt a little slow, and after reading a couple books in this series, I’ve realized that travel adventures with lots of sightseeing, while enjoyable in real life, aren’t necessarily what I’m looking for in a novel.
That said, I know so many readers who love this series, and I can absolutely see the appeal. If you enjoy Christian contemporary fiction, armchair travel, cozy settings, and stories centered on faith, family, and adventure, this may be just the book for you. ☺️💛
Thank you @revellfiction for the review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
August 23, 2026
I liked the setting but didn’t really like the characters. The cover was adorable, Christian book so it’s clean. I like this author, but I liked her series,The sister chicks better. ( book for the place I’d like to visit someday challenge.
July 5, 2026
5 plus stars!!! This was soooo my cuppa tea!! Halfway through the book, I was inspired to look up an easy shortbread recipe and made it and devoured it in a couple of days (my husband got a couple of pieces 😉). I can see why they eat shortbread all the time....
Anyway, I'm easily distracted by food... back to the book. I won't even be able to put into words about my feelings about this book, but I'll try.
This is the way contemporary Christian fiction should be done!! I'm not a huge fan of contemporary clean/Christian fiction (prefer historical normally), but if there are more books like this, then count me in for contemporary books.
I was invested from page 1 until the end. I was thinking of the story while I wasn't reading it. The characters are likable, and you'd be friends with them in real life. The theme of letting go hit home with me. Sometimes, we need to surrender things instead of trying to control everything or plan everything. God already knows the plans He has for us, and they're good plans. This book was such a good reminder of that promise from God.
The setting was perfect, and now I want to go there and see the beauty of that land. I loved the scene with Olivia. That was such a heartfelt moment that I cried during that. Sharing a devotion with a complete stranger and having that connection and feeling the Holy Spirit moving. Pure beauty in that part of the book. There are some other times I cried in the book, too.
But, there were a whole lot more laugh out loud, scaring the cats from laughing so loud moments than the crying moments. The bonbons!!! The connection between the cousins is so lovely, such a deep and forever friendship. I loved the entire story and all the experiences they got to go through together in Scotland. The ending was so beautiful.
This was a new to me author, and I can't wait to read the others in this series and more books from her. Highly, highly, highly recommend!!
Anyway, I'm easily distracted by food... back to the book. I won't even be able to put into words about my feelings about this book, but I'll try.
This is the way contemporary Christian fiction should be done!! I'm not a huge fan of contemporary clean/Christian fiction (prefer historical normally), but if there are more books like this, then count me in for contemporary books.
I was invested from page 1 until the end. I was thinking of the story while I wasn't reading it. The characters are likable, and you'd be friends with them in real life. The theme of letting go hit home with me. Sometimes, we need to surrender things instead of trying to control everything or plan everything. God already knows the plans He has for us, and they're good plans. This book was such a good reminder of that promise from God.
The setting was perfect, and now I want to go there and see the beauty of that land. I loved the scene with Olivia. That was such a heartfelt moment that I cried during that. Sharing a devotion with a complete stranger and having that connection and feeling the Holy Spirit moving. Pure beauty in that part of the book. There are some other times I cried in the book, too.
But, there were a whole lot more laugh out loud, scaring the cats from laughing so loud moments than the crying moments. The bonbons!!! The connection between the cousins is so lovely, such a deep and forever friendship. I loved the entire story and all the experiences they got to go through together in Scotland. The ending was so beautiful.
This was a new to me author, and I can't wait to read the others in this series and more books from her. Highly, highly, highly recommend!!
July 10, 2026
I am undone! I’ve been a fan of Robin Jones Gunn’s sisterhood series and have enjoyed the new series The Suitcase Sisters, however I wasn’t prepared for the emotional impact Shortbread in the Highlands had on me. Her latest is a modern-day Scottish fairy tale brimming with family secrets, whimsy, adventure, delicious shortbreads, and an unexpected treasure hunt. Robin Jones Gunn carried me effortlessly to a most satisfying finale. Fair warning: keep a box of tissues nearby!
THE STORY: When cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to claim an inheritance, they find more than delayed flights and charming villages. Amid castles, lochs, quirky locals, delicious shortbreads, and a family mystery, the Suitcase Sisters uncover long-hidden secrets that change their understanding of their grandmother—and themselves.
5 STARS BECAUSE the faith thread in Shortbread in the Highlands felt like a luscious Scottish wool tartan wrapped around my heart. Filled with unexpected humor, tender moments, and timeless truths, it's the kind of story I'll gladly read again.
I received an ARC through Revell and NetGalley for my honest review.
THE STORY: When cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to claim an inheritance, they find more than delayed flights and charming villages. Amid castles, lochs, quirky locals, delicious shortbreads, and a family mystery, the Suitcase Sisters uncover long-hidden secrets that change their understanding of their grandmother—and themselves.
5 STARS BECAUSE the faith thread in Shortbread in the Highlands felt like a luscious Scottish wool tartan wrapped around my heart. Filled with unexpected humor, tender moments, and timeless truths, it's the kind of story I'll gladly read again.
I received an ARC through Revell and NetGalley for my honest review.
September 17, 2026
This was so cute and perfect for Autumn!
Cousins, but more like sisters, Nora and Allie are asked to go on an impromptu trip to Scotland to recover their Grans diary from an inherited estate. The estate belongs to an old love of hers but they’re not sure why he would leave his home and very large library to her after so many years. Many travel blunders ensue and the mystery unravels a little bit at a time.
This book is a love letter to Scotland. The descriptions of Scotland in Autumn, the highlands, the wind, the bagpipes, the coos! Mentions of food and smells and gorgeous details of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle which were so accurate and a place called Wigtown that has been on my list for some time just for the books!
The inherited library and the first editions within it are swoon worthy. How come nobody ever gifts me an old manor with a giant library?? 😂
It’s a fast read and just a cute cozy little book. It is part of a series but it can be read as a standalone as well.
@robingunn @baker_book_house @greatreadsbookpromo
Cousins, but more like sisters, Nora and Allie are asked to go on an impromptu trip to Scotland to recover their Grans diary from an inherited estate. The estate belongs to an old love of hers but they’re not sure why he would leave his home and very large library to her after so many years. Many travel blunders ensue and the mystery unravels a little bit at a time.
This book is a love letter to Scotland. The descriptions of Scotland in Autumn, the highlands, the wind, the bagpipes, the coos! Mentions of food and smells and gorgeous details of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle which were so accurate and a place called Wigtown that has been on my list for some time just for the books!
The inherited library and the first editions within it are swoon worthy. How come nobody ever gifts me an old manor with a giant library?? 😂
It’s a fast read and just a cute cozy little book. It is part of a series but it can be read as a standalone as well.
@robingunn @baker_book_house @greatreadsbookpromo
July 19, 2026
I’ve read so many of Robin’s books and series over the years. This book in the Suitcase Sisters series has two cousins traveling to Scotland at their grandmother’s request to retrieve her diary. Nora and Allie are very different and I appreciated the “realness” of their frustrations with one another and the way Robin had the women communicate honestly and with maturity to resolve issues. Robin’s stories always inspire me to grow more in my walk with God - to pray more. I found myself having my own Evensongs and thanking God and reflecting on His many blessings throughout the day. I absolutely loved the ending! I went back the next day and reread it slowly and took it all in and it was a wonderful and satisfying way to conclude the story. It made the one frustration I was feeling as I was reading the book make sense - it was like “Oh, I get it now, that’s why it had to happen that way”.
July 2, 2026
I love this series! So fun to read a series about female friendship. This one definitely made me want to go to Scotland.
*I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher. All my opinions are my own.
*I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher. All my opinions are my own.
July 15, 2026
Another heart achingly beautiful story by Robin Jones Gunn. I related to Nora so much. This series has my heart!
July 28, 2026
What a wonderful book!
August 19, 2026
This book took me by surprise in a good way. Such a sweet familial story about saying yes to adventure, leaning in even when doubting, and trusting God through it all.
September 19, 2026
3.5 stars - Loved the cosy autumn vibes, all things Scottish, the 'bon-bon' incident, and the Oswald Chambers/Scripture parts. Predictable ending, but still enjoyable. :)
September 28, 2026
My favorite in the series to date!🩵
July 11, 2026
I love this week books set in Scotland. I have even visited the Dunrobin Castle and Edinburgh.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the third book in the series of the Suitcase Sisters, and it did not disappoint! This time the adventures took two cousins to Scotland to finish a task for their elderly grandmother. Robin Jones Gunn again delivers a story so good you feel like you were on vacation with them.
Allie is an accomplished woman. She and her husband run a skincare company. She is full of prestige and good looks. Her life is filled with dreams she is accomplishing and dreams she has for the future.
Nora is a curator at a museum. She longs for more in her life and realizes she has been going through the motions. Scotland shows her what she has been missing and teaches her to let go and let God take over.
This story is incredible and interesting. You will get so enmeshed in the girls’ lives you will feel like you know them. The characters in several towns are vibrant and exactly what you would want to experience in a new country. Also, I’ve never wanted so much than to fly to Scotland and get a highland cow!
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.
Allie is an accomplished woman. She and her husband run a skincare company. She is full of prestige and good looks. Her life is filled with dreams she is accomplishing and dreams she has for the future.
Nora is a curator at a museum. She longs for more in her life and realizes she has been going through the motions. Scotland shows her what she has been missing and teaches her to let go and let God take over.
This story is incredible and interesting. You will get so enmeshed in the girls’ lives you will feel like you know them. The characters in several towns are vibrant and exactly what you would want to experience in a new country. Also, I’ve never wanted so much than to fly to Scotland and get a highland cow!
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.
May 31, 2026
3.5 Stars ⭐️
This story follows Nora and Allie on an adventure in Scotland! Tasked by their grandmother to uncover an inheritance and track down an old diary, the girls find themselves swept up in a journey filled with unexpected surprises. As they explore an autumnal Scotland, they unearth family secrets and learn lessons about letting go and about surrendering their plans to God.
The autumnal descriptions were lovely and made me want to visit Scotland even more! I felt like I got to explore this beautiful country right alongside the characters. I also really enjoyed the faith content and on-page prayers.
Content Warnings:
I would not recommend this book to teens due to a conversation between characters about infertility struggles that I felt was more detailed than necessary.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.
This story follows Nora and Allie on an adventure in Scotland! Tasked by their grandmother to uncover an inheritance and track down an old diary, the girls find themselves swept up in a journey filled with unexpected surprises. As they explore an autumnal Scotland, they unearth family secrets and learn lessons about letting go and about surrendering their plans to God.
The autumnal descriptions were lovely and made me want to visit Scotland even more! I felt like I got to explore this beautiful country right alongside the characters. I also really enjoyed the faith content and on-page prayers.
Content Warnings:
I would not recommend this book to teens due to a conversation between characters about infertility struggles that I felt was more detailed than necessary.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.
July 3, 2026
I've been diving into Scotland lately. There is something about it that draws me. I love the accent and the history and the ancientness about it. Finding out I have ancestry in two Scottish clans was very exciting to me! And one of them is talked about in this book!
There are so many things that I enjoyed about this story, which is yet another gem from Robin Jones Gunn:
- I liked that this was two cousins. I took a trip with two of my girl cousins once and it was such a special experience! So I could relate to that.
- The clans that were chosen for this book have the mottos of "without fear" and "forget not" which are both such powerful reminders but also go so well together.
- There was a powerful message/theme of loving well. How to love someone from afar; love another enough to let them go; love someone enough to bless them and wish them well even though you can't have them. It was very powerful and so sweet!
- Nora's character was wonderful. She was so thoughtful and present, always drinking in the things around her and pondering them. She'd sit with things but faithfully record them too. I'm a terrible journaler when I travel. I record the facts but not the feelings so seeing her do that was inspiring. While she and Allie both had dreams they were forced to surrender, Nora was the one we really got to know. Her journey and process was very touching. She's regularly giving thanks and just worshiping. Evensong was such a beautiful practice. I'd like to try and pause more like Nora when I'm moved by what I see.
- I definitely was envious of the window seats and deep bathtubs. That's a durachd of mine for sure :)
This is such a wonderful book, cozy and touching, that is well worth the read and I will read again!
There are so many things that I enjoyed about this story, which is yet another gem from Robin Jones Gunn:
- I liked that this was two cousins. I took a trip with two of my girl cousins once and it was such a special experience! So I could relate to that.
- The clans that were chosen for this book have the mottos of "without fear" and "forget not" which are both such powerful reminders but also go so well together.
- There was a powerful message/theme of loving well. How to love someone from afar; love another enough to let them go; love someone enough to bless them and wish them well even though you can't have them. It was very powerful and so sweet!
- Nora's character was wonderful. She was so thoughtful and present, always drinking in the things around her and pondering them. She'd sit with things but faithfully record them too. I'm a terrible journaler when I travel. I record the facts but not the feelings so seeing her do that was inspiring. While she and Allie both had dreams they were forced to surrender, Nora was the one we really got to know. Her journey and process was very touching. She's regularly giving thanks and just worshiping. Evensong was such a beautiful practice. I'd like to try and pause more like Nora when I'm moved by what I see.
- I definitely was envious of the window seats and deep bathtubs. That's a durachd of mine for sure :)
This is such a wonderful book, cozy and touching, that is well worth the read and I will read again!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an advance digital copy of this novel from the publisher, Revell. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
The Suitcase Sisters is a series of interconnected standalones that share a basic premise—two adult women, be they friends or family or both, who together embark on an unexpected adventure of a lifetime. The stories themselves don’t build on each other, so it’s acceptable to read them out of order. I say this because I broke my own rule by doing just that. Shortbread in the Highlands is the third installment in the series, but it’s not only my first Suitcase Sisters story, it’s my first experience with any of Robin Jones Gunn’s work. I found it refreshing, and as cozy a treat as the shortbread featured throughout the story.
Cousins Nora and Allie have been drafted by their grandmother to retrieve a book for her, one she was given access to in the will of her now-deceased first love. She has become heir to this man’s library, but there’s only one book she wants—her own diary from her youth. Of course, there’s a catch: the library, and thus the diary, is in Scotland. The cousins reluctantly agree, flying to Scotland for what should be a straightforward chore that instead quickly goes off the rails. The series of mishaps ends up not only bringing them joy, but changing both of their lives forever.
One of the elements of this story I enjoyed the most was the vibrancy with which she depicted Scotland. Gunn does a beautiful job with her scenery, as well as teaching readers much about the history, culture, and physical geography of this lovely setting for our characters’ adventures. And she does this in a way that as entertaining as it is informative. The characters were charming, and I appreciated the fact that this wasn’t a romance, but was instead largely about the relationship between the cousins and their own relationships with themselves and God. I loved the themes of reconnecting with your roots and following the path God has laid out for you, even when that’s a path you never would have thought to take without His prompting. Which brings us to the shining star of the story: the faith content. Faith is the heart, soul, and backbone of this book, and I thought Gunn did a wonderful job depicting an inner faith walk in a time of upheaval and spiritual growth. Our perspective character, Nora, has a beautiful walk with God through which Gunn’s own faith was displayed.
While this was my first Suitcase Sisters story, it won’t be my last. This was an oasis of a story, offering peace and refreshment in the midst of the darker, high-stakes novels that populate the literary landscape.
The Suitcase Sisters is a series of interconnected standalones that share a basic premise—two adult women, be they friends or family or both, who together embark on an unexpected adventure of a lifetime. The stories themselves don’t build on each other, so it’s acceptable to read them out of order. I say this because I broke my own rule by doing just that. Shortbread in the Highlands is the third installment in the series, but it’s not only my first Suitcase Sisters story, it’s my first experience with any of Robin Jones Gunn’s work. I found it refreshing, and as cozy a treat as the shortbread featured throughout the story.
Cousins Nora and Allie have been drafted by their grandmother to retrieve a book for her, one she was given access to in the will of her now-deceased first love. She has become heir to this man’s library, but there’s only one book she wants—her own diary from her youth. Of course, there’s a catch: the library, and thus the diary, is in Scotland. The cousins reluctantly agree, flying to Scotland for what should be a straightforward chore that instead quickly goes off the rails. The series of mishaps ends up not only bringing them joy, but changing both of their lives forever.
One of the elements of this story I enjoyed the most was the vibrancy with which she depicted Scotland. Gunn does a beautiful job with her scenery, as well as teaching readers much about the history, culture, and physical geography of this lovely setting for our characters’ adventures. And she does this in a way that as entertaining as it is informative. The characters were charming, and I appreciated the fact that this wasn’t a romance, but was instead largely about the relationship between the cousins and their own relationships with themselves and God. I loved the themes of reconnecting with your roots and following the path God has laid out for you, even when that’s a path you never would have thought to take without His prompting. Which brings us to the shining star of the story: the faith content. Faith is the heart, soul, and backbone of this book, and I thought Gunn did a wonderful job depicting an inner faith walk in a time of upheaval and spiritual growth. Our perspective character, Nora, has a beautiful walk with God through which Gunn’s own faith was displayed.
While this was my first Suitcase Sisters story, it won’t be my last. This was an oasis of a story, offering peace and refreshment in the midst of the darker, high-stakes novels that populate the literary landscape.
July 16, 2026
Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
I grew up reading Robin Jones Gunn, and her Christy Miller series. Her books are one of the reasons I love and continue to read all types of Christian fiction. If you love Karen Kingsbury and Tracie Peterson and have not read Robin Jones Gunn, you need to pick up her latest novel Shortbread in the Highlands. In this third novel of her suitcase sisters series, this stand alone book is a delightful book that gives us a glimpse into what full surrender to our loving heavenly Father looks like. It shows that if we open ourselves and hold our hands up and empty ourselves, our Great and Sovereign God has something beautiful planned for you. He loves you and is calling you to step out in faith and trust in His plans for your life. When this will happen, it might not look how you always pictured, but the blessings will be immeasurable.
Shortbread in the Highlands takes readers to Scotland where cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to retrieve an inheritance for their beloved grandmother. While there, as many delays are and minor inconveniences, the cousins learn about them, and about God's plan and desire for their lives. They learn to let go and trust God with the desires of their heart. Once doing so, and totally surrendering to God, they find freedom and joy in the here and now. They also learn a bit about their grandmother, and about their heritage.
This is the perfect book to put you in the mood for fall, hot tea, flannel blankets and a nice cozy fireplace as you take a journey with Allie and Nora to beloved Scotland. I highly recommend some freshly baked shortbread (calories don't count here) and while reading this delightful book of fiction, you will also grow more in your faith journey. I pray that you will learn to trust our Sovereign Father, giving Him the desires of your heart and waiting on Him and His timing. Simba enthusiastically gives this book four paws. I am so very thankful to my local library to be able to read such wonderful books, such as this. Happy Reading!!
Please check out my full blog at: https://simbasbookreview.wordpress.co...
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
I grew up reading Robin Jones Gunn, and her Christy Miller series. Her books are one of the reasons I love and continue to read all types of Christian fiction. If you love Karen Kingsbury and Tracie Peterson and have not read Robin Jones Gunn, you need to pick up her latest novel Shortbread in the Highlands. In this third novel of her suitcase sisters series, this stand alone book is a delightful book that gives us a glimpse into what full surrender to our loving heavenly Father looks like. It shows that if we open ourselves and hold our hands up and empty ourselves, our Great and Sovereign God has something beautiful planned for you. He loves you and is calling you to step out in faith and trust in His plans for your life. When this will happen, it might not look how you always pictured, but the blessings will be immeasurable.
Shortbread in the Highlands takes readers to Scotland where cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to retrieve an inheritance for their beloved grandmother. While there, as many delays are and minor inconveniences, the cousins learn about them, and about God's plan and desire for their lives. They learn to let go and trust God with the desires of their heart. Once doing so, and totally surrendering to God, they find freedom and joy in the here and now. They also learn a bit about their grandmother, and about their heritage.
This is the perfect book to put you in the mood for fall, hot tea, flannel blankets and a nice cozy fireplace as you take a journey with Allie and Nora to beloved Scotland. I highly recommend some freshly baked shortbread (calories don't count here) and while reading this delightful book of fiction, you will also grow more in your faith journey. I pray that you will learn to trust our Sovereign Father, giving Him the desires of your heart and waiting on Him and His timing. Simba enthusiastically gives this book four paws. I am so very thankful to my local library to be able to read such wonderful books, such as this. Happy Reading!!
Please check out my full blog at: https://simbasbookreview.wordpress.co...
September 15, 2026
🍂🍁🍂
"Shortbread in the Highlands" by Robin Jones Gunn
Don't let the uninteresting title fool you...if you like all things Scotland🏴, Scottish shortbread, castles, old books, autumn🍁, cozy fireplaces, and old family secrets, then this is a book for you.
Cousins Nora and Allie of Arizona🌵 have been sent by their grandmother to Scotland to find and return Gran's old diary left in the possession of her first love, Edward, who has died and left his library of books to her. That Gran had a love *before* their beloved grandfather is news to the two women and shakes up all they think they know about their grandparents.😯 Gran refuses to answer their questions which, of course, fuels their need to know.😆
Nora and Allie have grown up together and are more like sisters than cousins. Between their careers and Allie's married life, they have grown a little apart. Going to Scotland together turns out to be just the thing needed to renew their relationship with each other and, as God would have it, their relationship with Him.
The cousins take some great side trips which the reader gets to enjoy with them. They also have special encounters with other women along the way. All of this gets woven together into such a satisfying story.
Pros:
●The audiobook narration is good. I enjoyed "seeing" Scotland. The author works bits of historical information, customs, and food in just the right amounts.
●The faith element; is firm, very natural and God-glorifying.
●I like the relationships among all the women; their struggles in their lives are relatable. This is definitely chick lit without romance.🐥
Cons:
●I tired of how often using their cell phones for everything is mentioned: pictures, texts, checking reviews for restaurants, etc. 📱It's realism, but telling of it so much doesn't enhance the story.
●The story-telling could have used a little less description on skin care products and spa treatments (all done because Allie is doing research for her job). More information than I cared about.
●And as much as I love shortbread❤️, all the talk of it didn't really add much to the storytelling. However, it did trigger my hunger for it. So beware this trigger warning.😆
That being said, this is a story that held my interest to the end.👍
"Shortbread in the Highlands" by Robin Jones Gunn
Don't let the uninteresting title fool you...if you like all things Scotland🏴, Scottish shortbread, castles, old books, autumn🍁, cozy fireplaces, and old family secrets, then this is a book for you.
Cousins Nora and Allie of Arizona🌵 have been sent by their grandmother to Scotland to find and return Gran's old diary left in the possession of her first love, Edward, who has died and left his library of books to her. That Gran had a love *before* their beloved grandfather is news to the two women and shakes up all they think they know about their grandparents.😯 Gran refuses to answer their questions which, of course, fuels their need to know.😆
Nora and Allie have grown up together and are more like sisters than cousins. Between their careers and Allie's married life, they have grown a little apart. Going to Scotland together turns out to be just the thing needed to renew their relationship with each other and, as God would have it, their relationship with Him.
The cousins take some great side trips which the reader gets to enjoy with them. They also have special encounters with other women along the way. All of this gets woven together into such a satisfying story.
Pros:
●The audiobook narration is good. I enjoyed "seeing" Scotland. The author works bits of historical information, customs, and food in just the right amounts.
●The faith element; is firm, very natural and God-glorifying.
●I like the relationships among all the women; their struggles in their lives are relatable. This is definitely chick lit without romance.🐥
Cons:
●I tired of how often using their cell phones for everything is mentioned: pictures, texts, checking reviews for restaurants, etc. 📱It's realism, but telling of it so much doesn't enhance the story.
●The story-telling could have used a little less description on skin care products and spa treatments (all done because Allie is doing research for her job). More information than I cared about.
●And as much as I love shortbread❤️, all the talk of it didn't really add much to the storytelling. However, it did trigger my hunger for it. So beware this trigger warning.😆
That being said, this is a story that held my interest to the end.👍
September 19, 2026
What is your favorite dessert? I love so many it’s hard to pick one. One favorite is cherry pie.
Cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to claim an inheritance for their Gran. They meet interesting new people as they stay in a cottage in the town that their Gran grew up in. This trip is also a time to explore Scotland in the fall and spend time together. Besides being plagued by delays, Nora and Allie discover that their Gran had kept a secret from them. What was the secret and why did she keep it from them?
My thoughts on this novel:
• This book really made me want to visit Scotland with the wonderful descriptions of the scenery, food and people.
• This book is number three in the Suitcase Sister series, but I read it as a standalone novel, and it worked just fine.
• I liked that the trip got the two both thinking about their lives and where God was leading them.
• I loved that the inheritance was a library. If only I could inherit a library! Their mission was to retrieve their Gran’s diary from the library and then sell the contents of the library.
• Scottish shortbread sounds delicious, and I would like to try some. There is a great recipe in the back of this book that I need to try out!
• This was a sweet romance, clean read, contemporary, and inspirational read.
• Allie and Robin get annoyed with each other at times but work through it. Allie owns a successful skincare company with her husband and feel like she really needs to get back and not spend time in Scotland with Robin. This puts a strain on things at first. There is more to this, and it slowly comes out in the story.
• Recipes, discussion questions, and a look at the author’s next book conclude this story.
Overall, Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn is a delightful, cozy story set in Scotland with a hint of mystery and romance. I enjoyed it this summer and the fall setting also makes it a perfect fall read!
Book Source: Thank-you to @robingunn @revellfiction @greatreadsbookpromo for the review copy as part of the Great Reads Book Promo tour.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2026...
Cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to claim an inheritance for their Gran. They meet interesting new people as they stay in a cottage in the town that their Gran grew up in. This trip is also a time to explore Scotland in the fall and spend time together. Besides being plagued by delays, Nora and Allie discover that their Gran had kept a secret from them. What was the secret and why did she keep it from them?
My thoughts on this novel:
• This book really made me want to visit Scotland with the wonderful descriptions of the scenery, food and people.
• This book is number three in the Suitcase Sister series, but I read it as a standalone novel, and it worked just fine.
• I liked that the trip got the two both thinking about their lives and where God was leading them.
• I loved that the inheritance was a library. If only I could inherit a library! Their mission was to retrieve their Gran’s diary from the library and then sell the contents of the library.
• Scottish shortbread sounds delicious, and I would like to try some. There is a great recipe in the back of this book that I need to try out!
• This was a sweet romance, clean read, contemporary, and inspirational read.
• Allie and Robin get annoyed with each other at times but work through it. Allie owns a successful skincare company with her husband and feel like she really needs to get back and not spend time in Scotland with Robin. This puts a strain on things at first. There is more to this, and it slowly comes out in the story.
• Recipes, discussion questions, and a look at the author’s next book conclude this story.
Overall, Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn is a delightful, cozy story set in Scotland with a hint of mystery and romance. I enjoyed it this summer and the fall setting also makes it a perfect fall read!
Book Source: Thank-you to @robingunn @revellfiction @greatreadsbookpromo for the review copy as part of the Great Reads Book Promo tour.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2026...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I highly recommend readers skip to the VERY end, make one of the shortbread recipes, then sit down in a cozy chair with a cuppa to devour both cookies and book!
Robin Jones Gunn has done it again! Stunningly poetic, artistically detailed, and warm on the fuzzies, Shortbread in the Highlands leaves readers with lower blood pressure, deeper breathing, a sense of calm, and a craving only butter cookies from wee coos can satiate. This book is a sensory delight where readers can feel the season and scratchy wool, hear the pups, taste the different mouthwatering dishes, smell all the beauty products, and envision the sights of Scotland as if we were right next to Allie and Nora.
Gunn writes travel that transcends inconveniences, so that even when issues arise, readers trust it was for the characters' good- a true nod to Romans 8:28. Her novels fill a literary void the female heart deeply longs for: clean, meaningful lessons, steeped in unabashed Truth, addressing the hard topics- giving us the space to question our own heart along the way. What do we believe when our relationship fails? When the baby doesn't come? When our flight is delayed and suitcase is stolen!? We are faced with countless moments each and every day where we can align our heart with God's for us, or stew on what WE wanted and how "wrong" God is to withhold good from us. This balm is an antidote to the poison running through life: apathy and distrust of God.
And the incredibly poignant epilogue! Bless the God winks we understand this side of heaven and the fact that we are not the ones responsible for solving every problem or aligning our future perfectly!
Troupes: (cousin) girl's trip, forced (mis)adventure, small town, cozy setting, nosy/tight knit community, God working all things together, softening of heart and soul, lifestyle change
Spice: 0/5 🌶️
Gore: 0/5 🩸
Language: 0/5 👀
Triggers: brief mentions of infertility struggles and single loneliness
Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for this ARC!
Robin Jones Gunn has done it again! Stunningly poetic, artistically detailed, and warm on the fuzzies, Shortbread in the Highlands leaves readers with lower blood pressure, deeper breathing, a sense of calm, and a craving only butter cookies from wee coos can satiate. This book is a sensory delight where readers can feel the season and scratchy wool, hear the pups, taste the different mouthwatering dishes, smell all the beauty products, and envision the sights of Scotland as if we were right next to Allie and Nora.
Gunn writes travel that transcends inconveniences, so that even when issues arise, readers trust it was for the characters' good- a true nod to Romans 8:28. Her novels fill a literary void the female heart deeply longs for: clean, meaningful lessons, steeped in unabashed Truth, addressing the hard topics- giving us the space to question our own heart along the way. What do we believe when our relationship fails? When the baby doesn't come? When our flight is delayed and suitcase is stolen!? We are faced with countless moments each and every day where we can align our heart with God's for us, or stew on what WE wanted and how "wrong" God is to withhold good from us. This balm is an antidote to the poison running through life: apathy and distrust of God.
And the incredibly poignant epilogue! Bless the God winks we understand this side of heaven and the fact that we are not the ones responsible for solving every problem or aligning our future perfectly!
Troupes: (cousin) girl's trip, forced (mis)adventure, small town, cozy setting, nosy/tight knit community, God working all things together, softening of heart and soul, lifestyle change
Spice: 0/5 🌶️
Gore: 0/5 🩸
Language: 0/5 👀
Triggers: brief mentions of infertility struggles and single loneliness
Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for this ARC!
July 20, 2026
By the time I finished Shortbread in the Highlands, I felt as though I had wandered the misty Scottish Highlands, sampled warm shortbread from a village bakery, and shared countless cups of tea with friends.
Cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to fulfill a request for their grandmother. They uncover amazing family history and discover fresh perspectives on what they thought was God’s plan for their lives. There were a lot of bumps in the road, but they learned that God is always orchestrating the details out of their control.
One of the things I appreciate most about Robin Jones Gunn's novels is her ability to take readers on a little vacation with each of her stories. But more than that, the stories are not just mini vacations, but stories with eternal impact. In this episode, the reader sees how God uses unexpected detours to redirect our hearts.
Robin's beautiful descriptions, warm humor, and authentic faith make this a delightful read. The friendships feel genuine, the setting is rich with atmosphere, and the spiritual truths unfold naturally without ever feeling forced.
It was so good, I had to make myself a pot of tea and plate of shortbread, even though it was a thousand degrees outside! As a special bonus, Robin shares a great shortbread recipe. I highly recommend making some, sitting down with a large pot of tea, (maybe buy the shortbread and have iced tea if it is hot where you live) and dig in to this delicious story!
Cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to fulfill a request for their grandmother. They uncover amazing family history and discover fresh perspectives on what they thought was God’s plan for their lives. There were a lot of bumps in the road, but they learned that God is always orchestrating the details out of their control.
One of the things I appreciate most about Robin Jones Gunn's novels is her ability to take readers on a little vacation with each of her stories. But more than that, the stories are not just mini vacations, but stories with eternal impact. In this episode, the reader sees how God uses unexpected detours to redirect our hearts.
Robin's beautiful descriptions, warm humor, and authentic faith make this a delightful read. The friendships feel genuine, the setting is rich with atmosphere, and the spiritual truths unfold naturally without ever feeling forced.
It was so good, I had to make myself a pot of tea and plate of shortbread, even though it was a thousand degrees outside! As a special bonus, Robin shares a great shortbread recipe. I highly recommend making some, sitting down with a large pot of tea, (maybe buy the shortbread and have iced tea if it is hot where you live) and dig in to this delicious story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews