What do you think?
Rate this book
What Happens #1
What Happens in the Highlands
Match made in heaven or maid of dishonor?
Tight-laced Rose Hensel arrives in Scotland for her best friend’s wedding with a plan—to be the greatest maid of honor ever, let loose for the first time in years, and find out what Scottish guys really wear under their kilts. After meeting the best man, she thinks she found the man who checks all the boxes for a no-strings-attached romp among the heather.
Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon knows how to show a girl a good time. Gourmet dinners in castle ruins, picnics among rolling hills, and a seaside escape create some unforgettable dates. But as the fling begins to morph into something more, an unexpected wedding guest threatens to ruin Rose and Lachlan’s new romance.
With a plane ticket in one hand and her broken heart in the other, Rose prepares to head home to reality. However, she’s about to learn that what happens in the Highlands doesn’t always stay there.
Tight-laced Rose Hensel arrives in Scotland for her best friend’s wedding with a plan—to be the greatest maid of honor ever, let loose for the first time in years, and find out what Scottish guys really wear under their kilts. After meeting the best man, she thinks she found the man who checks all the boxes for a no-strings-attached romp among the heather.
Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon knows how to show a girl a good time. Gourmet dinners in castle ruins, picnics among rolling hills, and a seaside escape create some unforgettable dates. But as the fling begins to morph into something more, an unexpected wedding guest threatens to ruin Rose and Lachlan’s new romance.
With a plane ticket in one hand and her broken heart in the other, Rose prepares to head home to reality. However, she’s about to learn that what happens in the Highlands doesn’t always stay there.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2019
1269 people are currently reading
672 people want to read
About the author
Kelsey McKnight
20 books171 followersFrom Scottish lairds to billionaire businessmen, Kelsey McKnight will ignite your soul, no matter what century it lives in.
Kelsey is a university-educated historian from southern New Jersey. She has married her great loves of romance, history, and literature to create her own tales of dashing heroes, sultry bad boys, and lovable heroines who have their own stories to tell. They will take you through the ballrooms of Victorian London, to the hills of the Scottish Highlands, and into New York City penthouses, all at the flip of a page.
When she’s not writing, Kelsey can be found reading, drinking too much coffee, spending time with her family, and working for a nonprofit organization.
Kelsey is a university-educated historian from southern New Jersey. She has married her great loves of romance, history, and literature to create her own tales of dashing heroes, sultry bad boys, and lovable heroines who have their own stories to tell. They will take you through the ballrooms of Victorian London, to the hills of the Scottish Highlands, and into New York City penthouses, all at the flip of a page.
When she’s not writing, Kelsey can be found reading, drinking too much coffee, spending time with her family, and working for a nonprofit organization.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
September 9, 2019
This was a nice 3 star book, which had a couple of things I can't resist and others I didn't like as much.
To begin with, it takes place on Scotland.... smart because a different place would mean less stars. What is it with Scotland and Scottish men and Scottish everything? I can't even remember when this madness began, but I'm going to blame it on James Fraser and a couple of hot Scottish actors..
As I said, this book takes place in Scotland and is a story between an American young woman and a Scottish, rich, hot Highlander, with a kilt. Rose's best friend Katie and Lachan's cousin Sean are getting married and they are to be Made of Honor and Best man. They spend their time drinking, having fun, exploring beautiful places and castles and especially for Rose this is a great opportunity to let loose and forget her worries and monotonous life in New York.
The romance was good. I liked a lot Lachlan's romantic and sometimes grand gestures and his chemistry with Rose. One of the problems I found was that there was almost zero information about the main characters' past and for that I could find myself caring about any of them.
The story was a simple, well written and funny, but I didn't laugh out loud or swoon over the romantic scenes. It was a quick, romance read.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
To begin with, it takes place on Scotland.... smart because a different place would mean less stars. What is it with Scotland and Scottish men and Scottish everything? I can't even remember when this madness began, but I'm going to blame it on James Fraser and a couple of hot Scottish actors..
As I said, this book takes place in Scotland and is a story between an American young woman and a Scottish, rich, hot Highlander, with a kilt. Rose's best friend Katie and Lachan's cousin Sean are getting married and they are to be Made of Honor and Best man. They spend their time drinking, having fun, exploring beautiful places and castles and especially for Rose this is a great opportunity to let loose and forget her worries and monotonous life in New York.
The romance was good. I liked a lot Lachlan's romantic and sometimes grand gestures and his chemistry with Rose. One of the problems I found was that there was almost zero information about the main characters' past and for that I could find myself caring about any of them.
The story was a simple, well written and funny, but I didn't laugh out loud or swoon over the romantic scenes. It was a quick, romance read.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
April 24, 2019
Library Thing Early Reviewers
Contemporary Highland romance starring a Maid of Honour from New Jersey and a tattooed, bekilted Highlander, a castle, Scottish weather, and lots of other clichés.
The romance was sweet, but the clichés were what "soured" the story for me.
Contemporary Highland romance starring a Maid of Honour from New Jersey and a tattooed, bekilted Highlander, a castle, Scottish weather, and lots of other clichés.
The romance was sweet, but the clichés were what "soured" the story for me.
February 17, 2020
Nasty Book with Scottish Inaccuracies
Oh, where to begin with this book! I found there to be so much wrong with it. I tend to be a sucker for Scottish romance, whether historical, contemporary, or time travel. But perhaps I should have had a little closer look at the description of this particular book. Don't be fooled by the cover, which looks like a relatively sweet contemporary romance.
First of all, I found it completely ridiculous in terms of the ways these characters acted. Perhaps it is more common of younger people these days, but I, of course, can't say for certain. But it seems like the heroine spent the bulk of her time drunk or hungover and being either self-conscious or stupid (sometimes in rapid succession). That's just not a fun thing to read about, at least for me. In one of these drunken hazes, she first sleeps with the hero. She's so blitzed that she doesn't even recognize him, needing to check his wallet the morning after to find out his identity; they had met before at a meet-and-greet for all the people who would be at her best friend's wedding. We were told she was a professional who was normally pretty strait-laced. I don’t believe it. Just like in real life, we judge by what we see, not by what we’re told. The author only showed us the worst aspects of her; it’s hard to imagine her as the woman we were told she was back in New Jersey. Honestly, I just found myself disgusted by that, shall we say, drunk sl*t aspect of the heroine.
Second, I found egregious errors about Scotland in the book. I won't detail all of them. I actually visited Scotland 18 months ago and spent nearly a week in Nairn, where this particular book takes place. I first knew the author had done little or no research on Scotland, Inverness, and Nairn with her description of the airport and what it was like to get from there to Nairn. First, the description of the airport that did not bear any resemblance to my memory of it. Picture a super small regional airport. There would have no place at baggage claim for the heroine’s best friend to wait and meet her; it isn’t accessible to the general public. Other details about the airport were wrong, too. Even worse, her description of going through Inverness on her way to Nairn from the airport is just completely wrong. The Inverness Airport is to the east of Inverness and so is Nairn. So why would her bestie drive her through Inverness before heading to Nairn? If she had gone straight from the airport to Nairn, which is what seems to have been intimated, she wouldn't have gone through Inverness at all. After a fair bit of driving in the book, a character said it would take another long while to get to Nairn from their present location. Only about 10 miles separate the Inverness Airport and Nairn; it really doesn't take that long to go from one to the other unless it's commute times. That was my experience. The author’s description of Nairn wasn’t accurate either. Oh, and I loved that one of the guys in a bar gave her friend a 1-pound note. The pound note was retired in 1988. They now use pound coins. If this man had one in his possession (which some people still do), it is unlikely he would have it on his person in a bar and give it away to a relative stranger.
All in all, I was disappointed by the sloppy research (from someone who claims to be a historian in their Amazon bio) and the raunchy storyline. Research for authors is so easy these days with the internet so close at hand. Even a map would have shown that Inverness did not lie between the Inverness Airport and Nairn. Do people actually like reading books that are about people just being drunk and stupid? Sigh.
Frankly, it's trash like this that gives genre romance fiction a bad name. I would give it negative stars if I could.
I received a free copy of this book, but clearly, that did not affect my review.
Oh, where to begin with this book! I found there to be so much wrong with it. I tend to be a sucker for Scottish romance, whether historical, contemporary, or time travel. But perhaps I should have had a little closer look at the description of this particular book. Don't be fooled by the cover, which looks like a relatively sweet contemporary romance.
First of all, I found it completely ridiculous in terms of the ways these characters acted. Perhaps it is more common of younger people these days, but I, of course, can't say for certain. But it seems like the heroine spent the bulk of her time drunk or hungover and being either self-conscious or stupid (sometimes in rapid succession). That's just not a fun thing to read about, at least for me. In one of these drunken hazes, she first sleeps with the hero. She's so blitzed that she doesn't even recognize him, needing to check his wallet the morning after to find out his identity; they had met before at a meet-and-greet for all the people who would be at her best friend's wedding. We were told she was a professional who was normally pretty strait-laced. I don’t believe it. Just like in real life, we judge by what we see, not by what we’re told. The author only showed us the worst aspects of her; it’s hard to imagine her as the woman we were told she was back in New Jersey. Honestly, I just found myself disgusted by that, shall we say, drunk sl*t aspect of the heroine.
Second, I found egregious errors about Scotland in the book. I won't detail all of them. I actually visited Scotland 18 months ago and spent nearly a week in Nairn, where this particular book takes place. I first knew the author had done little or no research on Scotland, Inverness, and Nairn with her description of the airport and what it was like to get from there to Nairn. First, the description of the airport that did not bear any resemblance to my memory of it. Picture a super small regional airport. There would have no place at baggage claim for the heroine’s best friend to wait and meet her; it isn’t accessible to the general public. Other details about the airport were wrong, too. Even worse, her description of going through Inverness on her way to Nairn from the airport is just completely wrong. The Inverness Airport is to the east of Inverness and so is Nairn. So why would her bestie drive her through Inverness before heading to Nairn? If she had gone straight from the airport to Nairn, which is what seems to have been intimated, she wouldn't have gone through Inverness at all. After a fair bit of driving in the book, a character said it would take another long while to get to Nairn from their present location. Only about 10 miles separate the Inverness Airport and Nairn; it really doesn't take that long to go from one to the other unless it's commute times. That was my experience. The author’s description of Nairn wasn’t accurate either. Oh, and I loved that one of the guys in a bar gave her friend a 1-pound note. The pound note was retired in 1988. They now use pound coins. If this man had one in his possession (which some people still do), it is unlikely he would have it on his person in a bar and give it away to a relative stranger.
All in all, I was disappointed by the sloppy research (from someone who claims to be a historian in their Amazon bio) and the raunchy storyline. Research for authors is so easy these days with the internet so close at hand. Even a map would have shown that Inverness did not lie between the Inverness Airport and Nairn. Do people actually like reading books that are about people just being drunk and stupid? Sigh.
Frankly, it's trash like this that gives genre romance fiction a bad name. I would give it negative stars if I could.
I received a free copy of this book, but clearly, that did not affect my review.
February 13, 2021
Proper, straight-laced Rose hopes to have some no strings attached fun for once and there's no better opportunity than her best friend's wedding in the Scottish highlands. Sparks fly almost immediately between Rose and best man, laird, and castle owner, Lachlan. The two spend as much time together as possible leading up to the wedding and Rose begins to take not of how easy things are with Lachlan and the fact that she can just be herself with him. When an unwanted wedding guest from Lachlan's past arrives to stir up trouble, she threatens the fling that's not quite as casual as Rose had originally planned. Rose winds up heartbroken and just wanting her time in Scotland to end, even though she doesn't really want to go home to New Jersey. Lachlan sets about trying to make things right, but with a set date for Rose's departure, his efforts may not really matter.
This was a far cry from the historicals I've generally stuck with as of late, but it was a breath of fresh air and I think just what I needed to keep from slipping into a rut. Katie, the bridge in the story, was just annoying and some of the dialogue was a bit repetitive, but I found Rose to be very relatable and Lachlan was just lovely and adorable. This was fun, light-hearted, and cheesy in the best way and I quite enjoyed it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
This was a far cry from the historicals I've generally stuck with as of late, but it was a breath of fresh air and I think just what I needed to keep from slipping into a rut. Katie, the bridge in the story, was just annoying and some of the dialogue was a bit repetitive, but I found Rose to be very relatable and Lachlan was just lovely and adorable. This was fun, light-hearted, and cheesy in the best way and I quite enjoyed it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Want to read
April 30, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/26/2020)! 🎁
June 26, 2023
If you are looking for a fast, fun, summer read, this might be for you! I read this over a couple days - very light-hearted, filled with romance, and a modern day fairy tale with a Scottish laird. Fun!
March 15, 2019
Lachlan..... ahhh such a dreamy guy! Where can I find me one!?
I really liked pretty much every moment of this book. Rosie was so relatable and Katie was a good supporting character. Lachlan, as I said, was the perfect dreamy Scot in a kilt! My one problem was how they first got together- not cool (don’t wanna put spoilers, just gonna say not ok). This was a book set in a beautiful Scottish highlands setting with a good HEA!
I really liked pretty much every moment of this book. Rosie was so relatable and Katie was a good supporting character. Lachlan, as I said, was the perfect dreamy Scot in a kilt! My one problem was how they first got together- not cool (don’t wanna put spoilers, just gonna say not ok). This was a book set in a beautiful Scottish highlands setting with a good HEA!
Read
March 24, 2019DNF @ 13%, so no rating.
This just wasn't for me. The way the friends shared past was put into conversation made things feel stilted and inauthentic, and the first two meetings between the hero and heroine were a huge turn-off for me.
ARC from Netgalley
This just wasn't for me. The way the friends shared past was put into conversation made things feel stilted and inauthentic, and the first two meetings between the hero and heroine were a huge turn-off for me.
ARC from Netgalley
April 2, 2019
Whew what a rollercoaster!! This one is one of McKnight’s best I think. It’s sweet but steamy and I really enjoyed it. Reminds me of my last trip to Scotland .... but my hubby wouldn’t wear a kilt!! LOL
April 10, 2019
Rose arrives in Scotland to be maid of honor at her friend's wedding. She vows to let loose and relax. If it can be in the company of a hot Scot-even better!
Lachlan is the best man, laird of his clan, and is sizzling hot to Rose! When she finds out he also owns the wedding venue castle, she realizes he's a much bigger deal than she thought. They start spending a lot of time together-wedding duties to start, then gradually more and more. What was supposed to be a casual, no strings fling, turns into something entirely different. Add in an unexpected wedding guest fiasco, and Rose is set to leave Scotland with a broken heart.
Although this seems to be a historical, there is nothing historical about it beyond the location. It takes place in present day Scotland. Rose is a history buff so I liked how she was interested in the castle history and about the ruins in the area. She felt real to me. Katie, the bride, was a little over the top sometimes, but we all know a friend who is exactly like that! I also adored Lachlan and felt he never led Rose astray. He was a straight shooter and I liked that about him.
Overall it was a fun and flirty read! Definitely a good start to a promising series!
I voluntarily chose to review a gifted copy of the book by the publisher through NetGalley. The rating and review are my opinion.
Lachlan is the best man, laird of his clan, and is sizzling hot to Rose! When she finds out he also owns the wedding venue castle, she realizes he's a much bigger deal than she thought. They start spending a lot of time together-wedding duties to start, then gradually more and more. What was supposed to be a casual, no strings fling, turns into something entirely different. Add in an unexpected wedding guest fiasco, and Rose is set to leave Scotland with a broken heart.
Although this seems to be a historical, there is nothing historical about it beyond the location. It takes place in present day Scotland. Rose is a history buff so I liked how she was interested in the castle history and about the ruins in the area. She felt real to me. Katie, the bride, was a little over the top sometimes, but we all know a friend who is exactly like that! I also adored Lachlan and felt he never led Rose astray. He was a straight shooter and I liked that about him.
Overall it was a fun and flirty read! Definitely a good start to a promising series!
I voluntarily chose to review a gifted copy of the book by the publisher through NetGalley. The rating and review are my opinion.
April 12, 2019
I enjoyed this light romance and it DEFINITELY made me want to visit Scotland more than ever. My best friend and I were planning a trip ages ago, but we never got there. Maybe one of these days we'll do a small group trip, since I can't imagine leaving my boyfriend at home for that trip.
Don't expect any major twists or anything shocking, but if you want a fun light read that won't take long and is a decent romance, this is a good choice. Definitely a good beach or vacation read - especially if you're traveling to Scotland. ;-)
Don't expect any major twists or anything shocking, but if you want a fun light read that won't take long and is a decent romance, this is a good choice. Definitely a good beach or vacation read - especially if you're traveling to Scotland. ;-)
February 21, 2019
Romantic ~ Enjoyable ~ Sexy
tl; dr: Cool, paralegal falls for hot laird at a friend's Scottish wedding.
Kilts, whiskey, lochs, all the stereotypes of the Screw the Hot Scot Genre. But, yet, McKnight keeps everything fresh and interesting. Her heroine is believable, and also she is not a broken soul. She doesn't find herself ugly or desperately out of the hot guy's league. She is a hard-working paralegal who enjoys sex. Way for a sex-positive heroine. In addition, the writing feels fresh and accessible. The prose is funny without trying too hard. The Scot is hot, oh I said that. Scotland is done well, without too much stereotyping. All in all a solid romance novel. Probably the best of the Screw the Hot Scot Genre and even one of the best Sex at a Wedding ones too.
Scale 1-5:
Sexy Times: 3
Strong Woman: 3
Stupid Man: 1
Playa Player: 1
Quality Dialogue: 4
Quality Text: 4
Tropes: Wedding Hook-up, Insta-love
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
tl; dr: Cool, paralegal falls for hot laird at a friend's Scottish wedding.
Kilts, whiskey, lochs, all the stereotypes of the Screw the Hot Scot Genre. But, yet, McKnight keeps everything fresh and interesting. Her heroine is believable, and also she is not a broken soul. She doesn't find herself ugly or desperately out of the hot guy's league. She is a hard-working paralegal who enjoys sex. Way for a sex-positive heroine. In addition, the writing feels fresh and accessible. The prose is funny without trying too hard. The Scot is hot, oh I said that. Scotland is done well, without too much stereotyping. All in all a solid romance novel. Probably the best of the Screw the Hot Scot Genre and even one of the best Sex at a Wedding ones too.
Scale 1-5:
Sexy Times: 3
Strong Woman: 3
Stupid Man: 1
Playa Player: 1
Quality Dialogue: 4
Quality Text: 4
Tropes: Wedding Hook-up, Insta-love
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
January 18, 2020
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I really loved the book. There was a lot of love and romance as well as some angst, intrigue and funny lines. I liked learning about Scotland and enjoyed the descriptions of the ruins, the castles and the little villages. It is now on my bucket list to visit. I found the scene when Rose dumps the sliders and water on Lachlan at the welcome party to be very funny. I liked their chemistry and the subsequent meeting at the hen and stag parties. Ms. McKnights descriptions of the girls’ and guys’ outfits was wonderful and so funny. Rose and Lachlan’s relationship had a rocky start but became so sweet until his ex entered the picture. Her antics were so believable and provided much enjoyed angst. I loved reading about the restaurant the Ruins and the descriptions of Rose and Lachlan’s dates were great too. What a terrific ending. This was my first book by Kelsey McKnight and I look forward to the next book in this series. A strong 5 stars for this wonderful book.
March 19, 2019
What to say about this book .... it was awful! There is no worthwhile storyline to speak of. Rose travels to Scotland for the wedding of her best friend, who just happened to meet a rich Scottish man and fall instantly in love. Rose arrives and, of course, there is a rich, handsome, single best man at her disposal. The characters could not have been more shallow. It uses, reuses and overuses all of the usual suspects: Scottish accents, castles, what do Scottish men wear under their kilts, sex, sex and more sex, poor American girl meets rich foreign boy, love at first sight, men taking their shirts off for no apparent reason.... And the vocabulary! My gosh, are there women out there who talk like this? I only finished the book so that I could give an honest review for NetGalley. If I could give it less than 1 star, I certainly would.
(NetGalley ebook - I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
(NetGalley ebook - I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
February 17, 2019
I voluntarily read a advanced reader's copy of this book.
What Happens in the Highlands by Kelsey McKnight. A new to me author. A fast paced great story with great characters, setting and storyline. Great start to a new series The What Happens series. I look forward to seeing what the next book brings to us.
What Happens in the Highlands by Kelsey McKnight. A new to me author. A fast paced great story with great characters, setting and storyline. Great start to a new series The What Happens series. I look forward to seeing what the next book brings to us.
February 18, 2019
First off I'll have to admit I have a soft spot for books featuring Scottish men. What Happens in the Highlands by Kelsey McKnight is a super enjoyable sexy read. The characters, dialogue and storyline are spot on. This is another author going on my "Favorites" list.
#WhatHappensInTheHighLands #NetGalley
#WhatHappensInTheHighLands #NetGalley
February 20, 2019
All the components for a good HEA....good storyline, strong characters, a wedding, and a great location! A girl travels to beautiful Scotland to be her BFF"s maid of honor and meets the BFF of the groom only to fall in love with a tall, handsome, rich member if the peerage. He's perfect until he isn't.......
This book was gifted to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
This book was gifted to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
April 2, 2019
What Happens in the Highlands by Kelsey McKnight
Match made in heaven or maid of dishonor?
Tight-laced Rose Hensel arrives in Scotland for her best friend’s wedding with a plan—to be the greatest maid of honor ever, let loose for the first time in years, and find out what Scottish guys really wear under their kilts. After meeting the best man, she thinks she found the man who checks all the boxes for a no-strings-attached romp among the heather.
Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon knows how to show a girl a good time. Gourmet dinners in castle ruins, picnics among rolling hills, and a seaside escape create some unforgettable dates. But as the fling begins to morph into something more, an unexpected wedding guest threatens to ruin Rose and Lachlan’s new romance.
With a plane ticket in one hand and her broken heart in the other, Rose prepares to head home to reality. However, she’s about to learn that what happens in the Highlands don’t always stay there.
This is Rose Hensel and Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon's story.
“Rose Hensel, please come to the baggage area. Rose Hensel to the baggage area,” a woman’s voice said in a professionally clipped accent over the loudspeaker.
Looking around at the myriad of signs that hung over other people’s heads, I shouldered my heavy carry-on, feeling the straps dig in, and began pushing through the crowd. I had been wandering the terminal for some time, searching for somewhere to get a decent cup of coffee. But my search was in vain. While a seven-hour flight wasn’t terrible to some people, I needed caffeine to survive and airplanes have the weakest brew of them all.
But now that someone was apparently searching for me, I had the renewed strength to continue on with my hike around the busy halls with a more concrete destination. Knowing my luck, I was being called because my bag had never arrived or had been searched by security and all my stuff was strewn all over the cargo hold of the plane and they needed me to identify my hairdryer on the tarmac.
Castle owner Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon. Rose and Lachlan spend as much time together as possible leading up to the wedding. Rose begins to see how easy things are with Lachlan and the fact that she can just be herself with him.
Best friend of the groom is Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon.
The groom's cousin, Lachlan. He's the laird of his clan and owns a castle and wears a kilt.
Lachlan knows how to show a girl a good time.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
What Happens in the Highlands by Kelsey McKnight is a 4 star book.
Kelsey's Books with Tule:
What Happens in the Highlands
The What Happens Series
Match made in heaven or maid of dishonor?
Tight-laced Rose Hensel arrives in Scotland for her best friend’s wedding with a plan—to be the greatest maid of honor ever, let loose for the first time in years, and find out what Scottish guys really wear under their kilts. After meeting the best man, she thinks she found the man who checks all the boxes for a no-strings-attached romp among the heather.
Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon knows how to show a girl a good time. Gourmet dinners in castle ruins, picnics among rolling hills, and a seaside escape create some unforgettable dates. But as the fling begins to morph into something more, an unexpected wedding guest threatens to ruin Rose and Lachlan’s new romance.
With a plane ticket in one hand and her broken heart in the other, Rose prepares to head home to reality. However, she’s about to learn that what happens in the Highlands don’t always stay there.
This is Rose Hensel and Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon's story.
“Rose Hensel, please come to the baggage area. Rose Hensel to the baggage area,” a woman’s voice said in a professionally clipped accent over the loudspeaker.
Looking around at the myriad of signs that hung over other people’s heads, I shouldered my heavy carry-on, feeling the straps dig in, and began pushing through the crowd. I had been wandering the terminal for some time, searching for somewhere to get a decent cup of coffee. But my search was in vain. While a seven-hour flight wasn’t terrible to some people, I needed caffeine to survive and airplanes have the weakest brew of them all.
But now that someone was apparently searching for me, I had the renewed strength to continue on with my hike around the busy halls with a more concrete destination. Knowing my luck, I was being called because my bag had never arrived or had been searched by security and all my stuff was strewn all over the cargo hold of the plane and they needed me to identify my hairdryer on the tarmac.
Castle owner Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon. Rose and Lachlan spend as much time together as possible leading up to the wedding. Rose begins to see how easy things are with Lachlan and the fact that she can just be herself with him.
Best friend of the groom is Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon.
The groom's cousin, Lachlan. He's the laird of his clan and owns a castle and wears a kilt.
Lachlan knows how to show a girl a good time.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
What Happens in the Highlands by Kelsey McKnight is a 4 star book.
Kelsey's Books with Tule:
What Happens in the Highlands
The What Happens Series
April 22, 2019
A working class Jersey girl travels to Scotland to serve as her best friend's Main of Honor. She meets a handsome Scottish lord and together they give a whole new meaning to the term Highland Fling. However, their time was fleeting and further complicated when "Miss Legs" glides in to create chaos. Can this Maid of Honor and Best Man from two very different worlds find common ground? You will just have to read "What Happens in the Highlands" and find out.
Whether you're by the pool or at the beach, this is the perfect steamy romance for summer. Just make sure you have a fan handy. 😉 Looks like you have another winner on your hands Kelsey McKnight. Sláinte!
Whether you're by the pool or at the beach, this is the perfect steamy romance for summer. Just make sure you have a fan handy. 😉 Looks like you have another winner on your hands Kelsey McKnight. Sláinte!
April 2, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
I had a blast with WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HIGHLANDS. While I wouldn’t call this romance light it certainly is an enjoyable experience going along on the journey of one very straitlaced Rose traveling to Scotland for her friend’s wedding and discovering that letting loose could bring her the love of her life – if she trusts him and herself enough.
The descriptions of the beauty and uniqueness of Scotland drew me in and made a lovely backdrop for Lachlan and Rose to fall in love against all odds. I easily enjoyed my encounters with the beauty of Scotland as much as the romance between one American and one Scottish lord.
There is, of course, a troublemaker in this romance as an ex from Lachlan’s past sets out to destroy his happiness. Will Rose let her get away with her shenanigans becomes the question.
If you enjoy a love story that will capture your heart and take you away to a beautiful location as well, then you’ll want to pick up WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HIGHLANDS. I enjoyed Rose and Lachlan love story, it’s believable, relatable and full of the magic of falling unexpectedly in love.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
I had a blast with WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HIGHLANDS. While I wouldn’t call this romance light it certainly is an enjoyable experience going along on the journey of one very straitlaced Rose traveling to Scotland for her friend’s wedding and discovering that letting loose could bring her the love of her life – if she trusts him and herself enough.
The descriptions of the beauty and uniqueness of Scotland drew me in and made a lovely backdrop for Lachlan and Rose to fall in love against all odds. I easily enjoyed my encounters with the beauty of Scotland as much as the romance between one American and one Scottish lord.
There is, of course, a troublemaker in this romance as an ex from Lachlan’s past sets out to destroy his happiness. Will Rose let her get away with her shenanigans becomes the question.
If you enjoy a love story that will capture your heart and take you away to a beautiful location as well, then you’ll want to pick up WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HIGHLANDS. I enjoyed Rose and Lachlan love story, it’s believable, relatable and full of the magic of falling unexpectedly in love.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
April 7, 2019
A wonderful romantic tale - especially if you’re a history buff. Interesting in the author’s atypical approach to a love story that crosses the ocean as well as cultures. Ms. McKnight presents the wedding of Rose’s best friend in Scotland as the backdrop. Being immersed in Scottish history and wealth plays a big part. This is where Rose meets Lachlan and where their adventure begins. As with all adventures, things don’t go as planned or even as one would dream. Oh but what an experience this book takes the reader on!
Loved the characters, the backdrop, but especially the ending!
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Loved the characters, the backdrop, but especially the ending!
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
March 30, 2019
What Happens In The Highlands is light, fun and sexy - a perfect weekend read. Trading on our fascination with kilts, this story has plenty of men walking onto the pages in theirs, including Lachlan, the hero of the hour. He’s best man to his cousin Sean, and is hosting Sean’s wedding at his castle. Lachlan is, of course, tall and handsome with a delightful Scottish burr, and an instant attraction to heroine of the hour Rose, who is bride Katie’s best friend and bridesmaid.
The story takes place around Sean and Katie’s wedding and is written around a simple theme - American girl visits Scotland for a week to take part in her best friend’s wedding and decides she’d like a fling with a handsome Scottish lad. Of course the story itself isn’t quite that simplistic as Rose manages to find herself caught up in one embarrassing incident after another involving Lachlan, and of course along the way the pair fall in love.
This is not a hugely deep and meaningful story. It’s purpose is to entertain and it does that admirably. The plot moves quickly, the tone is mostly light and sexy and while the ending is predictable the journey has a few interesting twists. Just right for unwinding after a busy week or a tough day at the office.
The story takes place around Sean and Katie’s wedding and is written around a simple theme - American girl visits Scotland for a week to take part in her best friend’s wedding and decides she’d like a fling with a handsome Scottish lad. Of course the story itself isn’t quite that simplistic as Rose manages to find herself caught up in one embarrassing incident after another involving Lachlan, and of course along the way the pair fall in love.
This is not a hugely deep and meaningful story. It’s purpose is to entertain and it does that admirably. The plot moves quickly, the tone is mostly light and sexy and while the ending is predictable the journey has a few interesting twists. Just right for unwinding after a busy week or a tough day at the office.
April 2, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. Rose goes to Scotland for her best friend's wedding. She is the maid of honor and is hoping to have a really good time while she is there. Her life in the States is very boring and she is hoping to have a bit of a fling while in Scotland. Her friend is hoping that Rose will fall helplessly in love and move to Scotland to be near her. Rose isn't that spontaneous. She has to think everything through before she makes that kind of decision. Until Lachlan. Lachlan is the best man and they have to spend a lot of time together. He is the perfect candidate for a fling. What if it isn't just a fling? She can't stay in Scotland, can she? Her whole live is in the States and Lachlan's is in Scotland. Everyone knows that long distance relationships don't work. What will they do?
April 3, 2019
Who doesn't love a man in kilts? Rose, has arrived in Scotland for her best friend's wedding when she meets the best man, Lachlan. What's wrong with a fun little fling, until your heart gets more involved. I could not put this book down today, it has everything you want. Laughter, tears (funny and sad), great chemistry between the characters and even a villain. I now want to travel to Scotland and not just for the kilts, lol.
This is the first book that I have read by the author and will not be my last. I highly recommend.
This is the first book that I have read by the author and will not be my last. I highly recommend.
March 26, 2019
A fun romance that take place in the Scottish Highlands.
This book has everything I was looking for. The main characters, Rose and Lachlan, were a lot of fun to read about. They had great chemistry once they let their guard down. Rose traveled from New Jersey to Scotland for her best friend’s wedding. She didn’t plan to meet a man while there, but she did. And, that man just happened to be the best man, the cousin of the groom, who was a Lord and lived in his very own castle.
I would almost want to classify this book as a romantic comedy because of the crazy things that happen between Rose and Lachlan. But then, there is that touch of drama too, especially with the ex-girlfriend. All around, this was a fun book to read.
This quote from the book really sums up the story:
The future was full of possibilities now, the promise of adventure and love and passion like I had only thought existed in romance novels. For the first time in my life, I shed the burden of staying safe and being responsible. All it took was a hen night, a wedding, and a week in a castle to show me that what happened in the Highlands didn’t always need to stay there.
This book has everything I was looking for. The main characters, Rose and Lachlan, were a lot of fun to read about. They had great chemistry once they let their guard down. Rose traveled from New Jersey to Scotland for her best friend’s wedding. She didn’t plan to meet a man while there, but she did. And, that man just happened to be the best man, the cousin of the groom, who was a Lord and lived in his very own castle.
I would almost want to classify this book as a romantic comedy because of the crazy things that happen between Rose and Lachlan. But then, there is that touch of drama too, especially with the ex-girlfriend. All around, this was a fun book to read.
This quote from the book really sums up the story:
The future was full of possibilities now, the promise of adventure and love and passion like I had only thought existed in romance novels. For the first time in my life, I shed the burden of staying safe and being responsible. All it took was a hen night, a wedding, and a week in a castle to show me that what happened in the Highlands didn’t always need to stay there.
April 1, 2019
Wow, what a fun read! What I liked about this book is that it's a light, sexy, and comical read. Rose is bored with her life and uses her trip to Scotland as a way to break the monotony. That is when she meets Lachlan. He is hot, has a kilt, a title, and a castle...what more do you want? Okay, he is also a really sweet and giving guy. I'm book crushin'.
Anyway, the book was exactly what I want in a romantic comedy and it's only the beginning.
Anyway, the book was exactly what I want in a romantic comedy and it's only the beginning.
January 31, 2020
The sweet, romantic book cover lured me in, folks. Also, my sappy at times romantic heart is always a sucker for anything to do with highlander romances. Past, present, future...It makes no difference the time period. Scottish brogue has me swooning every single time.
You pretty much get what is outlined in the synopsis. After a brief rocky then surprisingly smexy start, I enjoyed lovely Lachlan’s sweet gestures and dates with Rose. You could tell he was falling for her quickly in a verra big way. She, likewise, was verra attracted to this handsome laird of the manor, especially when he donned his kilt. Speaking of which, I think we all know what a lad has under his kilt. Really, it just seems silly and juvenile to keep making references to it like it is some big mystery. Just saying, more than once, and I’m rolling my eyes.
Rose was likable but a tad contradictory at times. She claimed to just want a brief fling, so she could step out of her boring life for a little while, yet seemed to want more from Lachlan from the get go. When an uninvited guest shows up, both of them made some missteps. I wanted to remind Lachlan it is perfectly fine to be polite yet give someone the cold shoulder when they get too handsy. He’s allowed to his own personal space. Rose didn’t really handle things properly either, though I could see why she was concerned. Not surprisingly, knuckleheaded thinking takes over and relationship angst rears its predictable head.
I was surprised by the out of the blue, make that “where did that come from”, colorful language that occasionally popped out of Rose and her bestie friend’s mouth. It didn’t match their character portrayal. Rose also came across rather too desperate for a random hook up in the beginning, which supposedly was something she never did. The fact she didn’t recognize Lachlan at a point when he clearly did know her felt wrong, too.
All ends well, of course, with a romantic conclusion that only a wealthy guy, who has the world laid at his feet, could pull off. This whirlwind couple get their happy for now ending.
Romance Safety Gang:
Title: What Happens in the Highlands, Author: Kelsey McKnight, Pages: 180, stand-alone, modern day American meets Scot romance, some very steamy scenes, relationship angst.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
You pretty much get what is outlined in the synopsis. After a brief rocky then surprisingly smexy start, I enjoyed lovely Lachlan’s sweet gestures and dates with Rose. You could tell he was falling for her quickly in a verra big way. She, likewise, was verra attracted to this handsome laird of the manor, especially when he donned his kilt. Speaking of which, I think we all know what a lad has under his kilt. Really, it just seems silly and juvenile to keep making references to it like it is some big mystery. Just saying, more than once, and I’m rolling my eyes.
Rose was likable but a tad contradictory at times. She claimed to just want a brief fling, so she could step out of her boring life for a little while, yet seemed to want more from Lachlan from the get go. When an uninvited guest shows up, both of them made some missteps. I wanted to remind Lachlan it is perfectly fine to be polite yet give someone the cold shoulder when they get too handsy. He’s allowed to his own personal space. Rose didn’t really handle things properly either, though I could see why she was concerned. Not surprisingly, knuckleheaded thinking takes over and relationship angst rears its predictable head.
I was surprised by the out of the blue, make that “where did that come from”, colorful language that occasionally popped out of Rose and her bestie friend’s mouth. It didn’t match their character portrayal. Rose also came across rather too desperate for a random hook up in the beginning, which supposedly was something she never did. The fact she didn’t recognize Lachlan at a point when he clearly did know her felt wrong, too.
All ends well, of course, with a romantic conclusion that only a wealthy guy, who has the world laid at his feet, could pull off. This whirlwind couple get their happy for now ending.
Romance Safety Gang:
Title: What Happens in the Highlands, Author: Kelsey McKnight, Pages: 180, stand-alone, modern day American meets Scot romance, some very steamy scenes, relationship angst.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
March 16, 2019
A lovely story that takes place in a picturesque village in the Scottish Highlands that has it all. A couple of Scottish hunks that wear kilts like they were born into them. Castles and ruins that reek of history and the people who lived and loved in them. A wedding with all the trimming, and two people so wrapped up in the other that the tension and attraction leaps off the pages. A love story rivaled only by the magnificent back drop of the Scottish Highlands and one that deserves every star I can give it.
I received a Netgalley copy of this story and have freely given it this well deserved review.
I received a Netgalley copy of this story and have freely given it this well deserved review.
August 16, 2019
Rating: ★★✬☆☆ (2.5/5 Stars)
Title: What Happens in the Highlands
Author(s): Kelsey McKnight
Character(s):
― Rose Hensel: Black, Blue Gray Eyed
― Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon: Blonde, Green Eyed
Setting: Nairn, Scotland
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary
Content Rating: R
POV: First Person (Heroine)
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s):
― “Love is somethin’ that brings two people together, making one life out o’ two. It combines, but also separates in a beautiful way. There’s a before and after from that moment on, a distinct part in two lives that forever embodies what makes their past, present, and future what it was always meant to be.”
Overall Opinion:
Falling in love less than a week… yes a week! Not even a full seven days before Rose and Lachlan fell madly in love with each other which prompted the low rating. Seriously why must I be torture by this instant love?! There was barely anything real connection with lead characters and their encounters happened on day six during Rose ten day wedding excursion. The couple was boring and there wasn't any built-up. Moreso, I'm not sure if it was just me or not but I found her best friend Kate utterly annoying. She's so amped for the couple to fall in love, get married and settle down in Scotland with her. Like hold your breaks girl, they don't even know each other's last name and should I mention Rose is only there a little more than a week and you already have their nuptials planned. This series wasn't for me and I had to dropped this like it's hot by chapter 9 at 60%.
March 12, 2019
Rose Henzel’s best friend, Katie, was on holiday in Scotland and met the love of her life, in a kilt, no less! Now Rose is leaving New Jersey to attend Katie's wedding with hopes of meeting her own “love in a kilt”. Little does she know that the handsome best man is single, owns a castle and better yet, wears a kilt! Fun characters and an engaging plot made this book a four star for me.
Thanks to Tule Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book. Publication date is April 2, 2019.
Thanks to Tule Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book. Publication date is April 2, 2019.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews