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The Scottish Island Inn: A totally gripping and emotional Scottish romance full of family secrets

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The Balhennie Inn is surrounded by heather-strewn mountains, with breathtaking views across the wild blue loch. But the cosy B&B is in trouble, and the only woman who can save it left without looking back years ago. Sorrel Balhennie will need to confront her past if the inn has any hope of a future…

The Balhennie family raised their six daughters on the Isle of Skye amongst early breakfast services and fully booked summers. Their inn is never short of gossip – and when eldest daughter Sorrel turns up for the first time in ten years, the island rumour mill begins.

Always the one left to corral her younger siblings, resourceful Sorrel now runs her own successful property business on the mainland. She throws herself into the repairs, praying her curious sisters will stop asking about the real reason she left home…

But Sorrell didn’t count on brooding, blue-eyed Tam Blackwood – the man she thought was her forever – supervising the works. Now they’re thrown together again, Sorrel realises just how much she’s missed him.

And with her secret in danger of tearing her family apart for good, only Tam has a plan to fix the inn and heal the rift between the Balhennie sisters. With his help, can Sorrel finally open up? Or will the inn close its doors forever?

The first in a brand-new Scottish-set series about sisterhood, secrets and second chances. Fans of Pamela Kelley, Hope Holloway and Debbie Macomber will utterly adore this romantic read!

Readers love Kennedy

Absolutely beautiful and perfect!! Completely swept me away… compelling and addictive, a heart-lifting read that kept me turning the pages until late at night… Absolutely fantastic!’ Bookworm86, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely adored this heart-touching, uplifting story… I was totally charmed. Stunningswept me away. Pulled me in so quickly… Pure delightful escapism… I loved this story.’ Cindy L Spear, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh my gosh… Had me in an emotional choke hold… So so so gorgeous a tale… Pure gold.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kept me on my toes!… Amazing… I loved… I had the best time reading!Faeriemerrybookworm, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Breathtaking… An awesome, uplifting tale that charmed and mesmerised me… I did not want to leave or say goodbye to these wonderful characters. Wonderful… I loved.’ Cindy L Spear, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I loved this… Wonderful… Full of twists… A real page-turner.’ NetGally reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I loved this book.

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2026

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About the author

Kennedy Kerr

23 books72 followers
Kennedy Kerr is the author of the Lost Maidens Loch witch-themed cozy mystery series. She is from a Scottish family and adores the magic and mystery of Scotland and all the Celtic lands: cairns, misty mountains, stone circles and misty lochs are her particular favourite things. She is the proud owner of a cuddly black cat called Twinkle, who evidently believes she is a princess.

Kennedy also loves cooking and baking all types of food, which is almost as much fun as eating it.

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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Cindy Spear.
651 reviews47 followers
June 16, 2026
This is the start of another beautiful new series by Kennedy Kerr. This time set on the stunning Isle of Skye. This rendition resurrects forgotten women’s history. It also celebrates close knit communities, fairy-tale second chances, long lasting romances and intriguing historical mysteries. Then there are the challenges of work and personal relationships, extended and new female friendships and unknown family connections.

The Scottish Island Inn focuses on the main character Sorrell: one of the Balhennie sisters who ran away years ago and cut off all communication with her family. In fact communication is a major engine in the plot. But it is more a lesson in what happens when we don’t speak to each other and in honesty— huge misunderstandings occur. Hearts get broken. As people think or imagine the worst. There are many good examples in the novel where even digital messaging gets misconstrued. As how often have messages come through that seem to convey negative tones. It is not always easy to decipher and miscommunication means emotional wounding. The digital era is great but it has its pitfalls and does not beat face to face where voice, tone and expression give away a great deal. Even words can be misleading but the rest often gives way to the truth.

There is no doubt that the landscape does not play a big part in this novel. It has presence that permeates every thought, word and deed. We can all appreciate the experience of going to a magnificent wild or natural location and the effect it has on our psyche. It allows us to breathe, unwind and regenerate. For Sorrell it does just that and more after she is betrayed by her partner of ten years: one she has both worked and lived with. And the first place she is compelled to go for healing is home. Because like most of us, it is where she feels safe, loved and appreciated.

But one worry is that although the landscape may not have changed, the people there may have. Yet she takes a risk and lands at her family’s residence. To see members she has not been in contact with for a decade. Except one of her sisters who continued writing to her and kept her up to date on all family matters. But Sorrell never once responded to her. How will they all feel when she lands on their doorstep? And yes, there will be shock and surprise but will they receive this prodigal daughter with open arms? And will she bump into her old sweetheart she left without warning, the night she fled? Well, as you can imagine, this visit will open a whole can of worms and stir up a huge pot of emotion and trouble.

I loved this story and its tender truths about relationships, families, romance, healing themes and female friendships. There is also a historical nugget amidst the modern dilemmas and in this one we learn about a condemned woman from the past who was part of Balhennie Castle’s history and what she did for love. One of the mysteries they explore, brings one pair closer.

It is easy to recommend The Scottish Island Inn and any novel of Kennedy Kerr’s as she writes beautifully, honestly, imaginatively and powerfully and addresses themes of importance to women— particularly. So I celebrate her talent on this book tour and encourage readers to give her exceptional stories a try— as I guarantee once you start you won’t be able to put any one of them down and will be immediately seeking out all of her releases. But a good place to start today is The Scottish Island Inn. It will make you smile, cheer, sigh and cry. A definite must read for 2026. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.
Profile Image for Carla.
7,928 reviews185 followers
June 20, 2026
Ten years ago, Sorrel Balhennie left the Isle of Skye for London and hasn't been back, nor has she talked to her parents, any of her five sisters, or the man she loved and left behind. She is a partner in a successful home renovation business and has been living with her partner, Simon for the last nine years. Once a month, her youngest sister, Bluebell has sent her an email, and although she never responded, she read every single one. In the last email, Blue asked for her help. The Inn has structural damage, as well as other problems and their parents can't afford to repair it. Two of her sisters and her parents are now living in a caravan on the property. Just as she gets this email, she finds out that Simon has been cheating on her, and been stealing from their company as well. Sorrel packs her bags and heads home to Skye. Things don't go smoothly when she arrives. It takes time for Sorrel and her mother to talk and clear the air, and even more time to make it up to her sisters. When she sees Tam, the man she thought she would marry someday, she realizes that she never stopped loving him. Working with Tam and his crew, she assists with the renovations and decorating of the Inn, using her savings to help pay for it. Can Sorrel go home again?

The Scottish Island Inn was a lovely story. It's full of family drama, guilt, reconciliation, a little mystery and history of the family, working together, forgiveness and of course, some romance. I liked Sorrel, but when I found out why she left Skye, I personally thought she overreacted. It wasn't until near the end when she was explaining to Tam and her mother about why she stayed away so long, I finally understood. Two of her sisters still live at home and they are the ones we get to know the best in this story. Heather is lovely and wants everyone to get along. Blue, the one that sent the emails, is hurt and isn't sure if she will forgive Sorrel that easily. When Tam and Sorrel finally get together, the old miscommunication trope rears its ugly head. That is the one trope that I really dislike. It takes quite awhile, and the intervention of a friend before they finally talk and clear the air. Having said that, I still enjoyed their story. Do you believe in fate? There is some good examples in this story. With a great plot, a lovely setting, some intriguing characters and great themes, I enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what is next in the Scottish Island Inn series.
Profile Image for Chantelle.
127 reviews4 followers
June 16, 2026
This was such an easy book to sink into. Family secrets, sisterly relationships, a struggling inn, and a swoony second-chance romance all set against a beautiful Scottish backdrop. A warm, comforting read that left me wanting to spend more time with the Balhennie family.
Profile Image for Emma Crowley.
1,050 reviews156 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 20, 2026
The Scottish Island Inn is the first in a new series by Kennedy Kerr set on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. There are six sisters in the Balhennie family which suggests the potential for this to develop into a six part series where each book follows a different sister and this is great because this first book was a really good read and I am eager to discover more about each individual sister. The book opens with a brief prologue where Bluebell is writing to Sorrell, the missing sister so to speak, as she left the island over ten years ago and has never returned or made contact. Instantly, the reader wants to know what caused her to flee the family fold and break all forms of communication. The family as a whole is prone to drama and big feelings all of which are explored throughout the book. As Bluebell writes the letter, one of many she has written and sent to Sorrel over the years without a reply, the reader gets a very brief intro as to the name of each sister and what they do. Just enough to whet the readers appetite for future books because this story focuses on Sorrel and how when the home and family business are in danger of being lost forever she finally makes the brave decision to return to her family at a time when they need her the most.

If the inn and all its history and heritage had been meandering along nicely as it had always done I doubt Sorrel would have returned and therefore we would have had no storyline. But the inn which has been part of the landscape of Skye for so many years and situated on the grounds of Balhennie Castle and which had become a place of love, sanctuary and an intrinsic part of the community is now in serious need of repair and flooding in the basement led to subsidence which in turn exposed numerous other problems. Unfortunately the girls parents, Angus and Catriona, don’t have the funds to repair all the damage. Sorrel has knowledge of property development and refurbishing houses and Bluebell is aware that perhaps getting Sorrel to come back could be the final chance to save the inn. The family are cracking up living onsite in a caravan and not to forget the feud that Angus has with their cousin the Laird of the castle James, over who is the rightful laird means that tensions are at an all-time high and Bluebell feels as if her carefully constructed peaceful world is splintering all around her.

For Sorrel, I felt the fact that she had just discovered her long term partner both in business and romance had cheated on her and stolen from the business gave her the push to return home. She needed time away from London to consider her next move. It wasn’t specifically said for a period of time what caused her such angst that she felt no she had no other choice than to leave the family home but I worked it out fairly early on from some subtle clues and the fact that she had such anger, hatred and mistrust towards her parents most notably her mother. Figuring things out so soon didn’t detract from the reveal even though it did come a lot earlier than I would have expected. I actually felt quite smug that I had worked it out. I will say I felt this aspect of the storyline had so much potential but given that there were several storylines running concurrently perhaps this was glossed over a bit too quickly. I felt it needed more development and some more in-depth exploration given it had caused such tumult and upset in the lives of Sorrel and the Balhennie family. But that’s just how I felt and maybe others will feel it was dealt with sufficiently.

Sorrel is the eldest of the daughters, and I felt they all looked up to her and would seek guidance from her or at least they had until she abruptly left. Each sister dealt with this in a different way but the sensitive soul that was Bluebell was perhaps most deeply affected. I did think it was brave and courageous of Sorrel to return given that if you had made the clean break from what had altered your perception of everything you had known, returning to this would stir up many complex and difficult emotions which you would had kept suppressed. Forced to keep a secret against her will which led to deep fractures within the family only increased the bitterness she felt. Now returning to the island, Sorrel had no choice but to confront the issue she had ran from for so long and at the end of the day she returned because she loved her sisters so much. Little did she bargain running into Tam, her one true love. The pain of leaving him still had its scars on her heart in the present day and as they work together planning and working on the restoration of the inn their history comes to light and old feelings start to stir. Bit can Sorrel give into them given she probably will leave Skye as soon as the work is complete and the family are back on their feet? Should she have that much needed talk with her parents? So many questions and conundrums run through Sorrel’s mind. I can’t forget to mention that I adored the significance of the heart shaped stone that manifested itself in the Tam/Sorrel storyline. It was so beautiful, heartwarming and apt.

As with the authors Loch Cameron series there is a historical element present once again and I love how this is woven throughout the modern-day story without being overpowering. After all this is women’s romance fiction not specifically historical fiction so to meld the two so well is no small feat. I loved reading the letters scattered throughout that gave us an insight into Emma Gordon, a woman engaged in fraudulent activities in the past. To see how it connected back to the inn and the castle was fascinating and uncovering some historical objects opened another storyline which I very much enjoyed. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Sorrel throughout the book as she has to navigate new paths with both her family and Tam. She experiences a wide range of emotions and forgiveness, love and understanding do feature heavily. Sorrel has to dig deep and think what she really wants from life and can she forget the hurts of the past in order to embrace a new future.

The Scottish Island Inn was a really promising and enjoyable start to what I feel will be a great series. I absolutely adored the setting of the Isle of Skye. It was so richly described with its moorland, waterfalls and mountains. It was the perfect advertisement to encourage people to visit. I feel we have barely touched on so many of the characters and I am keen to find out more about everyone, but I know this will all come in future books. Small communities, female friendship, sibling relationships and romance all feature heavily throughout and were most welcome. All in all a delightful read perfect for a day by the pool or an afternoon in the garden whilst enjoying the summer sunshine.
Profile Image for Donna's Book Addiction  Book review Arc Reader.
98 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
June 5, 2026
The Scottish Island Inn by Kennedy Kerr
Publication Date: 16 June 2026
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Isle of Skye, The Scottish Island Inn is a heartwarming story filled with family secrets, second chances, and the enduring bonds of sisterhood.

The Balhennie Inn is more than just a family business; it's the heart of the community, steeped in history, gossip, and memories. When Sorrel Balhennie returns home after a decade away, she is forced to confront not only the struggles facing the inn but also the painful secrets that drove her to leave in the first place.

I immediately found myself invested in Sorrel's journey. She is a strong, capable heroine whose determination to help save her family's beloved inn is admirable, yet beneath her confidence lies years of unresolved hurt. Watching her navigate complicated family relationships while facing her past made for an emotionally engaging read.

The romance between Sorrel and Tam Blackwood adds a wonderful layer to the story. Their history together creates plenty of tension, and Kennedy Kerr does an excellent job of capturing the lingering feelings, regrets, and chemistry between them. Tam was a particularly likeable character, offering both support and understanding when Sorrel needed it most.

What truly stood out for me was the sense of place. The descriptions of the Scottish landscape were beautifully written, bringing the Isle of Skye vividly to life. From the rugged mountains to the sparkling loch views, the setting became a character in its own right and provided the perfect backdrop for this story of healing and reconciliation.

The family dynamics were equally compelling. The relationships between the six Balhennie sisters felt authentic, messy, and relatable, with plenty of emotion, humour, and tension woven throughout. The mystery surrounding Sorrel's departure kept me turning the pages, eager to uncover the truth.

As the first book in a new series, The Scottish Island Inn lays a strong foundation for future stories while delivering a satisfying and emotional tale in its own right. Fans of uplifting women's fiction, second-chance romance, and Scottish-set stories will find much to enjoy here.

A charming and heartfelt start to what promises to be a wonderful new series.
Profile Image for Deanne Patterson.
2,516 reviews124 followers
June 20, 2026
One thing I like about the author's books is how descriptive her books are from the luscious scenery to the events happening you feel as though you are there.
This was a pretty emotional book. There are six sisters, all grown and one left without a word or an explanation ten years ago. Though one tried to keep in touch there was never any reciprocation.
Not only that she left a strong friendship with a childhood friend that was just turning into more.
Now she's back without giving her family a heads-up and they're puzzled, shocked and hurt.
The family inn is failing, and this sister is the one with the best business sense to turn things around if she's willing to help things along.
We find out she left because of family secrets that she was never meant to know about that she accidently overheard. She was deeply hurt and didn't take the time to talk to her family just left.
When she returns there are family talks but a lot of hurt as misunderstandings come to the forefront. There is the normal sisterly bickering, but all of the sisters have been hurt by her behavior.
Every family has secrets and when they come to the forefront there will be disagreements and outsiders see it in a very different way than those in the family do.
There's also her special childhood friend she left behind who was so happy to see her. Can a special relationship take root now that she is back home again?
I enjoyed the story a lot. It had lots of family drama but lots of talking got done and things don't just change overnight when you've been gone ten years.
Looking forward to more books by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.



Profile Image for Meg Pearson.
647 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 31, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Scottish Island Inn is a wonderful start to what promises to be a fantastic new series from Kennedy Kerr. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Isle of Skye, this book is filled with family drama, second chances, humor, and heart.

The Balhennie sisters completely stole the show for me. Their family dynamics felt authentic, entertaining, and often hilarious, especially during their sisterly meetings and disagreements. With six sisters, there is never a dull moment, and each character brings something unique to the story. Sorrel was my favorite by far. Returning home after ten years away, she is a complex and engaging protagonist whose presence immediately reignites old gossip and long-buried secrets across the island.

The setting is beautifully described, from the stunning drive across the Skye Bridge to the cozy atmosphere of the struggling family inn. Kerr brings the island community to life with warmth and charm, making it easy to become immersed in the story. I also enjoyed the blend of romance, family relationships, and the mystery surrounding Sorrel's departure all those years ago.

The cast of characters is wonderfully developed, and while there were a few characters I liked less than others (Simon certainly tested my patience!), their differing personalities added depth and realism to the story.

Heartwarming, emotional, and full of small-town charm, The Scottish Island Inn is an excellent opener for a new series. I can't wait to return to Skye and spend more time with the Balhennie family in future books.
3,876 reviews46 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 15, 2026
So much angst over one family secret!🌊

Loved the Isle of Skye setting and Tam, the male love interest who never wavered (though he did take a bit of an understandable detour) over the years when Sorrel, the eldest of six sisters, was off and away, living her life elsewhere. I liked the way things ended, but I found Sorrel's abrupt abandonment of family and the fella she obviously loved when she was 25 a bit baffling. Over the top? For me, yes. Explained by her youthful discovery of a family secret? She was 25, not a teenager, so the extremity of her actions did not seem realistic. And I never really forgave her for leaving Tam without explanation then or in the following years. Not even a postcard? Coming back to help save the family inn: I give Sorrel props for that but she also has her own reasons for leaving her business and business partner in the dust. Flight seems to be her favorite MO. The author obviously did a good job of fleshing out her character for me to have such strong feelings about her!

The plot and players not revolving around Sorrel's questionable decision-making were good, the vignettes of Skye land and lifestyle nicely done.

Not my favorite of the author's Scotland-set novels I've read but full of atmosphere and with five other sisters I can see this as a good start to a new series set on breathtaking Skye.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Profile Image for Dee Groocock.
1,506 reviews60 followers
May 23, 2026
Review of advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley.

Sorrel Balhennie fled her home on the Isle of Skye ten years ago, following devastating news that changed her life. She left the love of her life, as well as her family behind.

Ten years later, and Sorrel has returned home to help her parents and siblings. Her childhood home, The Balhennie Inn, is in trouble, and Sorrel is determined to fix things - including her relationships with her sisters and parents.

When she sees Tam, her childhood sweetheart, Sorrel hopes they can at least be friends, but she’s always loved him. With so many secrets, can they both move on?

This was a great read for the first book in a new series. I liked the characters a lot, the author wrote sympathetically from each character’s point of view, their grief, their anger and confusion.

The setting on the Isle of Skye was stunning, and I loved the descriptive writing which helped me to see it all in my imagination.

The story made me smile a lot, it was fun at times. I did also tear up a few times, this was due to the emotions which feature throughout.

I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series, when it’s released.
Profile Image for Caroline’s Page~Turners.
612 reviews17 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 15, 2026
The Balhennie family, with six daughters, never anticipated that one of them would stray from the family path. Sorrel, who left years ago to forge her own destiny, returns to the Isle of Skye after a decade-long absence.

Sorrel’s return stirs up complications within the family, and the local gossip mill quickly takes hold. Rumors about her return spread like wildfire, and Sorrel must employ every ounce of her determination to quell the rumors and prevent her family from disintegrating once and for all.

“The Scottish Island Inn,” a captivating tale by Kennedy Kerr, explores the theme of family unity amidst challenges. Despite the obstacles that arise, love remains an unwavering force that binds the family together. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and plot twists of the story, which kept me engrossed and eager to turn the pages.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Isle of Skye, Kerr’s vivid descriptions transport the reader to this enchanting setting. Her masterful storytelling creates a rich and immersive experience that draws readers into the world of the Balhennie family.

I highly recommend “The Scottish Island Inn” to anyone seeking a heartwarming and captivating read that celebrates the enduring power of family love and second chances.

Grab your copy today!!
Profile Image for Chris.
1,582 reviews13 followers
June 19, 2026
I enjoyed this book full of family, secrets, a mystery from the past, and second chances. Sorrel fled from the family and their Inn 10 years ago after discovering a family secret that felt like a betrayal. She left behind her family and Tam, her first love. She built a life for herself but now she’s back in Scotland as the life she has created implodes.The family Inn needs major repairs and she can help. But can she rebuild the inn and the family bonds she broke by staying away all these years? Plus Tam is in charge of the project and her heart is still connected to him. Add in a mystery from the past that is tied to both the Inn and the family and I was hooked.

The Scottish setting is immersive and has me dreaming of visiting. The story pulls on my emotions as I felt the heartbreak, longing, and anger along with Sorrel and her sisters. The approach to the reconciliation with both the family and Tam was thoughtful and believable requiring communication and rebuilding trust. I wanted the second chances to happen and I was rooting for Sorrel.

I recommend this book to readers that enjoy cozy books about second chances at family, love, and creating a life of your dreams.

Thanks to Bookouture for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Erin Gore.
76 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2026
The Scottish Island Inn by Kennedy Kerr is a heartfelt and emotionally engaging story about family, forgiveness, healing, and second chances set against the beautiful backdrop of Scotland's Isle of Skye.

I absolutely fell in love with Sorrel. As someone who has gone no contact with family members, her story resonated with me on a deeply personal level. I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning and hoping she would finally find the happiness and peace she deserved. Kennedy Kerr does an excellent job exploring the complexities of family relationships, showing both the love and hurt that can exist between people who share a history.

The Scottish setting was charming and immersive, the romance was sweet and believable, and the family dynamics added emotional depth throughout the story. What stood out most to me was Sorrel's journey toward healing and self-acceptance, which felt authentic and deeply moving.

I would love to see a sequel featuring these characters because I wasn't ready to leave the Balhennie family behind when the book ended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Kim Massey.
33 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
June 6, 2026
The Scottish Island Inn is a delightful romance novel by Kennedy Kerr.

Set on the beautiful Isle of Skye, the story follows Sorrell Balhennie as she returns home after ten years of estrangement from her family. During that decade away, Sorrell has carried a life-changing secret, one she discovered on the night she fled both her family and the love of her life, Tam Blackwood.

Kennedy Kerr excels at creating a rich sense of place, bringing both the island and the family-run inn to life. The atmospheric setting, combined with layers of emotional tension, makes for an immersive reading experience. The cast of characters is wonderfully diverse, and several of them undergo compelling and satisfying character development throughout the story.

While I occasionally found myself frustrated by Tam's poor communication and moments of petulant behaviour, these flaws ultimately added to the emotional complexity of the novel.

Overall, The Scottish Island Inn is a warm, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to discovering more of Kennedy Kerr’s books in the future.
Profile Image for Claire P.
31 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 6, 2026
This was so wonderful! I was excited to read this book as I loved the Loch Cameron series and I'm glad that this one is as nice as I expected it to be.

Set in Scotland, with complicated relationships, family drama, female friendships and here sisterhood, it all was perfectly balanced and very emotional at times, sometimes irritating also, but that's okay, it happens in life as well.

And it's not just two main characters that you like and get to know, there are a lot of side characters, but Kennedy does an amazing job writing them so you clearly see who is who and how they are, what they think and feel.

And of course, the setting - it's set in Scotland, on the island of Skye and again, the author describes it so beautifully, you feel like you're there with all the cast.

With many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
Profile Image for Jane Hunt.
Author 3 books117 followers
June 16, 2026
Sorrel has lived independently and successfully for ten years despite her estrangement from her large family on the Isle of Skye. She discovers that her business and relationship are in trouble, so she decides to go home and face the problems that forced her to leave. Her family needs her, but the manner of her departure creates some tense moments for all of them. The island community has its own opinions, which must be endured, but it unites the family as they battle to save their Inn. There is an overarching mystery to solve that will develop as the series progresses, but this is a promising start with complex characters and relationships, and an atmospheric setting. I like the emotional storytelling, the family dynamic and the story's ethos defined by folklore and mystery.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Profile Image for ShersBooks.
41 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2026
Hummmm......the sound of a happy heart after reading this feel-good book about lost loves, family, and forgiveness. With all the stress and garbage in the world today, it is wonderful to get immersed in a heartwarming novel where you know there is going to be a happily ever after. Kennedy Kerr gives you all of this and more in her beautiful novel about love.

While there is tension, misunderstanding, separation, and frustration, The Scottish Island Inn also brings ease, understanding, togetherness, and hope. The characters are endearing, and with the Isle of Skye as the background and a perfect storyline, this novel hits you in all the right places.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the Advanced Reading Copy. All opinions are mine alone.
32 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 19, 2026
3.5 stars rounded down. ⭐

The Scottish Island Inn is well-written, a nice and easy read, with beautiful descriptions of Skye.
The musings and feelings of Sorrel felt repetitive and the confrontations with her past didn’t work for me. On the one hand there was unnecessary drama, on the other hand some very big issues were solved too easily or not even addressed.
I am interested to see where this series goes, hopefully with more focus on the inn.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this review copy.
Profile Image for Kerry.
106 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 25, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This was very slow and repetitive. I found it very boring and not very interesting. The main character returns to her hometown and her high school boyfriend is there waiting for her, luckily he’s now a widower. The family drama wasnt interesting either. There was a historical mystery that I wish was the main plot rather than the drama in the family. I don’t think I’d recommend this or continue reading the series.
Profile Image for Aga.
363 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 10, 2026
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was such a nice read. I really enjoyed story of Sorrell and her family in the Isle of Skye.

The reason why Sorrell left the family is pretty predictable but still enjoyable. I really enjoyed the historical part of the story, I wish it would be more explored.

Overall a good solid start to a series which I will be happy to continue.
Profile Image for Melody.
34 reviews
June 19, 2026
Old family history along with a brief love story from the late 1800's. An old castle in much need of repair, bringing a family separated by secrets, together again!! At the last of this book, the author speaks of her next series of books. 8 in all, I do believe. I highly recommend them, too!! Now off to find more of Kennedy Kerr books!!♥️
36 reviews
June 20, 2026
Another great book!

I have read all of Kennedy Kerr's books and each one is great. She weaves a wonderful story and connects them all together with solid characters. Thank you for another new series to get caught up in.
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