The Tartan Thesis: Love was never on the curriculum.

by Scott K. Good

Two academic rivals. One forced partnership. Zero chance of keeping it professional.

After a disastrous first meeting off campus, Beau, a charming fish-out-of-water Texan, and Torin, a guarded, razor-smart Scotsman, discover they’re pursuing their PhDs in the same Scottish History program. Their clashing personalities and growing insecurities turn every seminar into a battlefield… until the department chair provides an ultimatum: work together or get out.

Forced into a shaky alliance, they vow to call a ceasefire and actually learn from one another. As trust builds and defenses fall, they find themselves caught in a slow-burning connection neither of them is prepared for—or willing to walk away from.

With their academic futures at stake and romantic missteps haunting them at every turn, Torin and Beau face the hardest question of all: Can they build a future together, or will history keep them apart?

Perfect for readers who love MM romance, enemies-to-lovers, slow burn tension, forced proximity, LGBTQ+ romance, and swoony international love stories, The Tartan Thesis blends sharp wit, emotional depth, and undeniable and steamy chemistry against the majestic backdrop of Scotland.

Genres: M M Romance

383 pages

Published May 26, 2026

About the author

Scott's debut MM romance novel, The Tartan Thesis, is now available.

Find him on Instagram @scottkgoodwrites.

Reviews

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, especially the scenes that took place around Christmas! I also think the author captured the absurdities of graduate education really well.

[Andrew Reimers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got an advanced copy and loved it. Great characters. Great setting. Very funny and sexy as hell. 10/10 will read again

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This has been a mid reading month honestly and I was in such a slump until I got my hands on this book. I laughed and cried and swooned and learned so much about Scotland that I somehow ended up with a collection of Highland cows and searching up Scottish Gaelic on tiktok. I've been talking about this book nonstop in the 50ish hours it took me to read it and it is a book that will stick with me for years to come.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a big romance reader but wanted to read an mm romance for pride month, and I’m glad I picked this one.

The Tartan Thesis is a tightly plotted academic rivals to lovers romance, and I loved Beau and Torin and how their studies and Scotland itself shaped the story and their connection. There are so many great Scottish details that made me want to visit Edinburgh and the Highlands. I love when books feel like a love letter to a place and are the next best thing to going there. This book definitely nails that.

Overall, the story has a really great momentum and flow that hits all the right beats of the romance genre in a charming and satisfying way.

The Tartan Thesis is an impressive debut, making Scott K Good an author to watch. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

[Makayla Schenkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute, very well-written romance that I think accurately portrays how past relationships can lead to difficulties in our new relationships, no matter how healthy they are. I also loved the focus on Scotland. The author provided such a great backdrop for this story through historical references, language, and culture. Does my next trip need to be to the Scottish highlands? Yes. Do I need my own coo? Also yes.

[Joan Hardwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, refreshing love story! Two men, competing against each other, find true love. The author does an amazing job telling this story, one man from Texas, the other from Scotland, all while teaching us on historical details of Scotland! A MUST read!!!

[Andy Cuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a delightful surprise. I thought the romance set in the world of academia was a very fresh premise, and loved that it spanned across the entire year. It was evident that the author put in a lot of thought on the Scottish history incorporation, which was a welcome inclusion. I usually don’t care for text messages to appear in a book, but they worked for this story and were used in an intentional way which I can respect. All in all, I look forward to keeping up with this author and thank you for letting me read an advanced copy! Also, bonus points for the food descriptions in this book. That is a craft all in its own!

[Jesselyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sexy and fun read!! I hope there will be more!

[Em Mabrouk · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS OUT TODAY! Awwww, Scott thank you for writing such a delightful book. These characters had me laughing, crying and swooning😂😭🥰

Another thing about this book is it was hallmark movie (🫑) that suddenly turned quite spicy 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

THIS BOOKS IS “HEATED RIVALRY”, “RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE” meets academia in Scotland and I’m just not sure there is anything better. HAPPY READING🥲❤️

[Stefanie Watson (Goodman) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful MLM romance about two unlikely men— one from Texas and one from Scotland —who fall in love during their time at university while competing against each other in class. The author does an exceptional job weaving in Scottish history in a way that naturally complements the academic setting. The characters are approachable and well developed throughout, making this an easy, quick, and thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this, visiting Scotland has officially been added to my bucket list. The author intertwines the rich history of Scotland into the heart of the novel effortlessly. A history lesson woven within the pages of a beautiful love story.

At first glance, Torin and Beau have nothing in common, other than they are rivals in the same PhD program for Scottish History. Torin is a native Scotsman, while Beau is a transplant from Texas. Opposites with the classic grumpy meets sunshine and reserved vs outgoing. On a closer look, they are both highly intelligent, good looking, and irritate one another to no end. The tension and yearning!!

My all time favorite book trope is enemies to lovers, and this one had me kicking my feet. This is very much a slow burn but absolutely worth it. ❤️

I appreciate the accurate ADHD representation for Beau. “Routine keeps the chaos manageable.” As a fellow neurodivergent, I also refer to it as chaos. He’s exactly right, routines do help. Personally, I rely on my calendar reminders, notes and multiple alarms I set throughout the day to keep me on task. We are capable of incredible things, we might just take a different path to get there.

Read if you enjoy:

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 MM Romance
📚 Academic Setting/Rivals
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Enemies to Lovers
📚 Slow Burn
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish History
📚 Forced Proximity
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Found Family

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to Scott K. Good for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.

[Kylee Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good!! I love the mix of enemies to lovers/academic rivals with romance that was perfect! Love the many references to places and Scottish terminology! Makes me want to fall in love in Scotland real bad 💖

[Timothy W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when a book can make me actually laugh out loud. What a ride it was, so much yearning. Different style of POV than I’m used to, but I got used to it and it might be my preferred way now.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first ever ARC! Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Combines some of my favorite things: Scotland, M/M romance and spice, pining, lovable characters who are vulnerable and relatable in their insecurities, and Highland cows! What’s not to love?

Having lived in Edinburgh briefly after college, this felt like going “home” again. So many familiar places and feelings of being an American over there. I, possibly rather nerdily, really appreciated Scott’s shout outs to the National Trust for Scotland and their work preserving Scotland’s natural beauty and many properties throughout the country, helping tell Scotland’s incredible story and the vast and varying stories of her people. I also love the inclusion of Scottish vernacular at the start of each chapter. Such a fun way to include more of the culture and history!

Overall a truly delightful book! Looking forward to more by Scott!

[Amber Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't get enough. That's the easiest way to say it. There haven't been many books recently where I was so attached to the characters that I sacrifice sleep to read. This one did that. Beau and Torin were so unique and distinctly different from one another that it worked really well. They balanced each other in a way where you couldn't help but want them to be happy together.

Torin, our brilliant Scottish historian, is pursuing his PhD and wants to focus on his studies following a rough and unexpected breakup right before the term starts. Beau, a Texan who comes to Scotland to pursue his own interests in history, is incredibly lovable and for whatever reason hasn't had a lasting relationship since coming out. They are both incredibly academic in their own way and their nerdy sides show throughout the book.

When these two characters first meet, they have an instant attraction until some wrong assumptions on Torin's part create a really great "enemies-to-lovers" situation with yearning, forced proximity, and a well done slow burn. I found it easy to dislike Torin (as I feel was the author's intention) at the beginning and feel all the feels for both of them as the story progresses. The supporting characters - Maeve, Lucas, Juliana, and Freya - add a wonderful friend element and voices of reason for both Torin and Beau throughout the story.

I truly couldn't get enough of this book and will be ordering it as soon as possible for future rereads. :) Thank you to Scott K Good for the ARC copy.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, now I want to visit Scotland and pet a highland cow! I really enjoyed reading this funny and sweet MM romance - and my first ever ARC.

The two main characters, Torin and Beau meet on their first day in their graduate history program in Edinburgh and immediately get off on the wrong foot. I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t like Torin at first - like at all. I yelled at him a couple times in the beginning. But the author developed his character well so that it became clear that he was not in fact the know it all jerk he comes across as, but someone who ultimately has insecurities from past trauma that he is struggling with. I grew to love him as the book went on.

Now Beau on the other hand I loved with my whole heart from the get. He is a charming, blonde gym buff from Texas, who always gave Torin the benefit of a doubt even when he was being insufferable. I loved him and rooted for him the whole time.

Now the “enemies” portion of the book was only about two minutes long and that’s ok because then it went into a yearning-filled, friends-to-lovers-will-they-kiss-already type situation that I personally like better than enemies to lovers. And the smut does come I promise and it’s worth the wait.

I really loved the snippets or Scottish culture and history that were woven naturally throughout the story! I also loved the academic setting. I have never been in a phd program so I have no comparison, but the scenes that were set in the classroom and included classroom discussion came across as realistic and genuine. It’s clear the author did a lot of research for this book.

This was a very enjoyable read and I am so honored the author trusted me with an ARC. I will be reading anything else he writes.

[Jérémy Turbide-Chiasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author.

4.5 ★

I was touched by this beautiful MM romance between two rivals who end up in a heartfelt relationship.

I was delighted to learn about Scottish history and the Scottish language, all whilst witnessing a beautiful love story.

I would be very keen to find out more about what happens next in the story between Beau and Torin.

[Andrew Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read, first book I’ve managed to complete in just 2 days! Was easy to fall in love with all the characters and clearly the writer had a real love for Scotland. Really enjoyed the beginning of each chapter having a Scottishism explained 😊 would 100% recommend

[Brendon Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s impossible not to root for Beau and Torin, from their first interaction through all the ups and downs. Every character in this story is lovable and adds to the plot. I know of Scott’s (and Beau’s) love of cheesy holiday movies and their formula for success, so I had a good idea of how things may play out, yet still each day I couldn’t wait to get into a few more chapters and find out if Beau and Torin would finally open up to one another.

I can’t wait to buy copies to give out as presents and to have in my library at home. I’m very proud of my friend for writing his first book and for doing a great job writing a compelling story that I think everyone can enjoy. Scotland is now on the short list of vacation destinations for the 5 year plan.

Can’t wait to get drunk on ho ho ho-ly shit punch again!

[Jarrod P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have one problem with this book…it needed more cows!

All jokes aside, this book was everything I needed after one DNF and finishing a chunky boi. It was light, refreshing, cute, hilarious and steamy.

And throughout it all was a beautiful interweaving of Scottish history and tradition, something that if done differently could have turned me off of this book. But instead, it was a way to really show the passion and knowledge that Torin has and wanted to share while also giving us the full golden retriever energy of Beau.

Speaking of Torin and Beau, I mean, come on. How nerdy and adorable can two characters be! Both had me laughing, not only as they’re oblivious to each other, but also at how much they joke. Plus, ya know, the bedroom scenes were just well placed 🥵

Add to this the side characters, the pigeons, Freya, Maeve, all are top notch additions to this story. Giving brevity and friendly advice where needed without stealing the show.

A big thanks to Scott Good for the ARC! If you’re into hot Scottish and Texans with a good dose of Scottish history - and almost enough Highland Cows - then this is for you.

[Laurence · Rating 4 out of 5]

** ARC copy recieved by the author via Book Funnel **

4.5 stars 🌟This was such an entertaining read!! I laughed, I had a tear here and there, I smiled, and I fell in love with two beautiful characters and their found family.

The banter was chef’s kiss, the million jokes and cow talk was super fun, the prose of Scotland and all the information about it was so interesting and unlike anything I had ever seen, I need to visit Scotland right now!!

This is for any lover of academic romance who likes a story of yearning and accepting each other through life’s challenges, and who choose each other despite all their doubts, again and again.

[Keely Kovacevic · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Ohhhh I love Beau and Torin! What a flippin delightful book!

Rival Scottish history PhD candidates who just want to bone but are too dumb to admit their feelings? M/M? Scottish history lessons throughout? What DONT I love about it! Seriously, ask me anything about culloden or weights, I’m now an expert.

Look, the only thing about this book that got under my skin was Torin’s catastrophising and the “well, actually” of it all. But, without that where would the tension be?

This book was a damn good time.

[Carianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The in-depth knowledge of Scotland, its culture, and history, made me think it was written by a Scot, I was surprised to find that the author is American.

The dedication really hit me hard, and this book definitely brought me queer joy. The slow-burn was excellently done. It was beautiful.

[Christopher Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Its alarming close to real life for me. I am from Texas and studied at the University of Edinburgh where I met my Scottish husband. A fun adventure that brought tears to my eyes and brought back memories. Thank you. I love this and will reread for sure. I am looking forward to future books!

[KaRon Spriggs-bethea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good story! I couldn’t and didn’t want to put it down. This was so relatable in a way that I could feel the emotions that were described throughout. I’m not going to lie, I almost did put it down and stop reading because I got really upset with one of the main characters. But this was just evidence of how emotional invested I was on Torin and Beau’s story.

If you like history and love stories, this is a good one to pick up!

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Scottish setting, the banter, the humor and of course the chemistry between Beau and Torin. Their romance was a delight to follow as they go from enemies to lovers. Super sexy and lovely story. Thank you to author Scott K Good for the gifted copy.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely check out The Tartan Thesis if you’re looking for your next beach read. I flew this through this one, and now I need a trip to Scotland immediately.

This is a dual POV romance, where Beau and Torin both pulled me in quickly despite their flaws. Maeve and Freya were fun side characters, without distracting from the main plot. I also appreciated that the author made the setting of Scotland a main character throughout. I love highland cows as much as Beau, and very much identified with his excitement.

If you enjoy Ali Hazelwood’s work for the intelligent characters and academic setting, The Tartan Thesis gives a similar vibe without being cut and paste.

Thank you to the author for the early copy!

[Ashlee Bell]

Enemies to lovers, nerdy MMCs, and dreamy settings! This book had it all ❤️. If you live for a slow burn, you'll love watching Torin and Beau navigate the cut throat (or is it?) world of academia and explore the Scottish Highlands as they learn to trust, and eventually love, each other. Thank you Scott K Good for my early reader edition!

[Rachael Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, light hearted read. Set at a Scottish university, this academic rivals romance delivers great banter between Torin and Beau, and gives very Hallmark movie vibes.

I especially connected with Torin's character. Seeing him prepare for social interactions with scripts and safe topics felt incredibly relatable, and his frustration with office politics (being judged on more than just performance) hit home. People are scary!

I loved the Scottish slang with definitions at the start of each chapter. That was such a cute touch. You can also tell the author did his research. The Scottish history and culture are woven into the plot seamlessly.

If I'm being picky, there was a slight drag from about the halfway point to three quarters of the way in, but nothing that ruined the experience. Overall, this is a charming, low angst read I would recommend to anyone who likes rivals to lovers with a little cozy, cultural twist.

[Just_wanttoread · Rating 2 out of 5]

Advance copy received for review.

Ugh this one’s hard to review, mostly because I hate feeling mean but honestly it’s not great. I was generally enjoying myself for the first half of this, despite its issues. The writing flows along, the Scottish setting is wonderful and the little chapter headers are cute. But once you get past halfway it really stalls.
There is a good third of the book where nothing really happens, Torin and Beau just completely overthink their relationship and never actually talk to each other - something I think you can get away with in books about undergraduate students but these characters are 30! Then they finally manage to talk, realise how much they both want a relationship and then obviously break up the next day over something completely ridiculous which is just infuriating.