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Loch Lannick #2
The Castle by the Loch
Sometimes the road to happiness is longer than we’d like …
At fourteen, Isla Mackenzie has her life all planned out. She’s going to be an artist and marry her best friend, Logan.
Logan Donnell also has a plan. When he grows up he’s going to join his dad’s business and marry his best friend, Isla.
By the time they’re eighteen, the two of them are inseparable. The future looks bright. Everything feels perfect.
But when tragedy strikes, fate sets the pair on a different course.
While circumstances keep Logan and Isla apart, their bond is not so easily broken.
The course of true love might not run smoothly but a bumpy road can still take you exactly where you’re supposed to be …
While this is the second book in the Loch Lannick series it can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
443 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2019
1025 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Ellis
57 books434 followersHannah Ellis spent many years working in childcare before deciding she'd like to write books. When she's not busy writing she likes to read, drink tea and eat chocolate. She also enjoys yoga and jogging.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
April 1, 2021
This is well-written and I will seek out this author again. However, the MCs' situation was crazy-making.
Not safe.
Not safe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2020
I'm perhaps not the ideal reader for this novel though it wasn't quite as YA as I thought when I began it. The characters - including Jasper the dog - were engaging and fun, the setting was interesting (though I'd have liked more Scots flavor). I did find the story drug in the last third to half of the book. I knew the obstacles, I could predict the outcome, I wanted to get on with it.
March 7, 2021
A sweet story about star-crossed lovers Isla and Logan and their blossoming friendship, from when they meet age 12, to when they fall in love as teens and progress in their relationship as adults. I admit the “will they/won’t they” scenario got slightly irritating at times, but as I’m a sucker for happy endings and for descriptions of the Scottish settings, I’ll forgive the author. A pleasant read overall.
March 5, 2021
Just get on with it. That was my main complaint about the book. It just seemed to be dragging out the action and while the characters had some growth and change, the storyline just seemed dull to me. It's not a romance, kind of sorta a bit of a love story, a little travel chic lit, but not really much except a retelling of 6 years in the life of these people.
September 26, 2020
I really really loved this book. I have just started the Loch Lannick series and I am
absolutely hooked. Isla and Logan are definitely my favourite characters.
absolutely hooked. Isla and Logan are definitely my favourite characters.
July 11, 2022
This is a very easy read and great for the beach or around the pool. It is the second in the series. Whenever I want something that isn't going to create massive emotional waves like 'Looking for Jane", I reach for a Hannah Ellis book. The next one is 'Fireworks over the Loch". As a side note, the book I bought published by Amazon, fell apart - the pages came loose.
January 24, 2021
Love on the Loch
I really got wrapped up in this warm and loving family. So caring about one another and their friends and significant others. But why was it so hard for Isla to tell Logan the truth about her feelings for him? Orr for her to believe others who saw Logan’s love for her? Or for Logan to be honest with her? It drove me crazy. Maybe this book is geared more towards young women. I’m hooked anyway, and will read more of them!
I really got wrapped up in this warm and loving family. So caring about one another and their friends and significant others. But why was it so hard for Isla to tell Logan the truth about her feelings for him? Orr for her to believe others who saw Logan’s love for her? Or for Logan to be honest with her? It drove me crazy. Maybe this book is geared more towards young women. I’m hooked anyway, and will read more of them!
January 18, 2021
I liked the book but felt it was too long. A lot of the back and forth on & off relationship of Logan and
Isla. Really was tired of them near the end. I did like to see Isla become a graduate of art at university and choose her career. Will like to see more of the characters in the next books becoming more mature.
Isla. Really was tired of them near the end. I did like to see Isla become a graduate of art at university and choose her career. Will like to see more of the characters in the next books becoming more mature.
December 7, 2020
Frustrating at times
I loved the first book in the series about Leana and Alasdair. I enjoyed this book about Isla and Logan, too. But the many, many times they got their wires crossed was so frustrating, I almost threw my reader across the room! But it was so worth it. The whole family is just lovely, and I can hardly wait to read the other books in this series.
I loved the first book in the series about Leana and Alasdair. I enjoyed this book about Isla and Logan, too. But the many, many times they got their wires crossed was so frustrating, I almost threw my reader across the room! But it was so worth it. The whole family is just lovely, and I can hardly wait to read the other books in this series.
June 5, 2025
In the second book in the series, we are taken back to when the Mackenzie sisters are still at school and the lovely Logan comes into their lives. Poor Logan isn’t having the easiest of times changing schools under a black cloud as well as the school being miles away from where he and his dad live.
Seeing the bond quickly develop between Logan and the Mackenzie family was so heartwarming to read. Even though Logan’s dad loves him, being a single parent isn’t easy and he is working all the hours to keep a roof over their heads. The Mackenzie’s take him under their wing and he is a constant at the house. Isla and Logan grow particularly close and it was wonderful to see the promise of romance between the pair.
In the first book, it is obvious to the reader there is some chemistry between Isla and Logan but they always seem to be at loggerheads. I loved how this book goes back and works it’s way up to present day so we get to know both characters better. Even true love has its ups and downs and things certainly aren’t straight forward for the pair.
The Castle by the Loch whisks the reader away to the Isle of Skye with spectacular scenery. The castle itself plays an important part in the story and I loved envisioning it in my head. This book has it all, romance, family, friendship, grief, the joys of being an adolescent, honestly it was a pure joy to read. I suspect the next book will focus on the younger sister but as there are more books in the series, I am intrigued as to what they will hold. A truly gorgeous read!
Seeing the bond quickly develop between Logan and the Mackenzie family was so heartwarming to read. Even though Logan’s dad loves him, being a single parent isn’t easy and he is working all the hours to keep a roof over their heads. The Mackenzie’s take him under their wing and he is a constant at the house. Isla and Logan grow particularly close and it was wonderful to see the promise of romance between the pair.
In the first book, it is obvious to the reader there is some chemistry between Isla and Logan but they always seem to be at loggerheads. I loved how this book goes back and works it’s way up to present day so we get to know both characters better. Even true love has its ups and downs and things certainly aren’t straight forward for the pair.
The Castle by the Loch whisks the reader away to the Isle of Skye with spectacular scenery. The castle itself plays an important part in the story and I loved envisioning it in my head. This book has it all, romance, family, friendship, grief, the joys of being an adolescent, honestly it was a pure joy to read. I suspect the next book will focus on the younger sister but as there are more books in the series, I am intrigued as to what they will hold. A truly gorgeous read!
October 1, 2022
A great, very well written story but...
... I found myself on edge waiting for whatever the "tragedy" that was to come. After the experience with Hannah Ellis's tragedy in the Lucy Mitchell series second book, I had huge trepidation that it wasn't going to be easy content to deal with. This in turn didn't foster positivity on this journey.
I don't like reading tragic romance, in fact I detest it. I won't go anywhere near Nicholas Sparks novels for this very reason. I want light hearted, feel good, 'happy ever after' entertainment in a romance novel. I don't want to be ugly crying and getting depressed over fictional content. I read romance to escape from the many tragic issues in the real world.
If you like that kind of emotional roller-coaster then you'll probably enjoy this book. But for me this story was more about enduring it versus enjoying it for the sake of continuity of the Loch Lannick series. Hannah Ellis had done such a brilliant job with the Hope Cove series, that I wanted to experience that awesomeness again.
I gave it a 5 star rating regardless, because I'm an atypical oddball and most people won't have the same emotional issues with it as I did. Unless they're on the spectrum and feel things more deeply than the average person too. The character Scarlett in the Hope Cove series would get me.
... I found myself on edge waiting for whatever the "tragedy" that was to come. After the experience with Hannah Ellis's tragedy in the Lucy Mitchell series second book, I had huge trepidation that it wasn't going to be easy content to deal with. This in turn didn't foster positivity on this journey.
I don't like reading tragic romance, in fact I detest it. I won't go anywhere near Nicholas Sparks novels for this very reason. I want light hearted, feel good, 'happy ever after' entertainment in a romance novel. I don't want to be ugly crying and getting depressed over fictional content. I read romance to escape from the many tragic issues in the real world.
If you like that kind of emotional roller-coaster then you'll probably enjoy this book. But for me this story was more about enduring it versus enjoying it for the sake of continuity of the Loch Lannick series. Hannah Ellis had done such a brilliant job with the Hope Cove series, that I wanted to experience that awesomeness again.
I gave it a 5 star rating regardless, because I'm an atypical oddball and most people won't have the same emotional issues with it as I did. Unless they're on the spectrum and feel things more deeply than the average person too. The character Scarlett in the Hope Cove series would get me.
August 3, 2023
I chose to begin the series because the setting appealed to me. I chose to continue with book 2 because I thought there was going to be a fabulous, enriching story develop. I enjoyed learning the background of the 2 main characters in this book but it fell flat other than that. I did not like the casualness with which sex outside of marriage and extreme drinking was handled. It seemed to be almost encouraged and that really threw me off. I get that this is real life for some but I want more value and morality in my stories. The characters didn't really seem to get better or more interesting and it didn't develop as I would have enjoyed. I could not see continuing on with 7 more books for the series. I quit here.
Read
June 21, 2025This is the second in the Loch Lannick series and it goes back to when Logan first meets Isla and her family when she about 12 years old. It's a bit strange going back in time after the first book which featured Isla's sister Leana which is set years later.
A lot of time was spent on those years up until Logan turned 18. Later on in the book, it did get a bit frustrating that Isla and Logan didn't talk to each other and so misunderstanding after misunderstanding occured. There was a lot of asuming between them leading to these misunderstandings.
Despite these two points, I enjoyed this book and I'm loving all the characters and the setting on Skye. I will definitely carry on with this series of books.
A lot of time was spent on those years up until Logan turned 18. Later on in the book, it did get a bit frustrating that Isla and Logan didn't talk to each other and so misunderstanding after misunderstanding occured. There was a lot of asuming between them leading to these misunderstandings.
Despite these two points, I enjoyed this book and I'm loving all the characters and the setting on Skye. I will definitely carry on with this series of books.
April 3, 2021
You know you identify with the character so well when you have to set the book aside out of frustration. This YA novel starts with two unlikely friends, Isla and Logan who over time become a couple. When tragedy strikes their smooth sailing path takes a hard left. This novel explores teenage romance and growing up together/apart. I found myself identifying way too closely with Isla at times, making it easy for me to get frustrated with her.
The author takes you on quite a journey with the Mackensie family and Logan. It’s a wonderful, at times aggravating story that was worth every second I spent reading it. The Scottish setting definitely helped too.
The author takes you on quite a journey with the Mackensie family and Logan. It’s a wonderful, at times aggravating story that was worth every second I spent reading it. The Scottish setting definitely helped too.
July 17, 2022
Cute, cozy read in lovely setting. This 2nd book starts 8-10 years earlier than 1st book, goes into a great deal of background, then tells the other side of events from the 1st book/adds detail to what happens to other characters once the story/timeline catches up. Still lots of telling not showing, and you have to be okay with jumping to cliff note style when it gets to the “present day” retelling. I did really enjoy seeing a different side of the 1st books Mc sister, and delving into the artistic pursuits of this 2nd book MC sister, plus the ways fear and pain and handling them in healthy/unhealthy ways will touch/change relationships.
June 6, 2023
Set on the island of Skye, this could have been a lot better if there weren't so many contrived miscommunications keeping Isla and Logan apart. His behavior after the tragedy (to prevent spoilers) was not realistic, and the fact that the MacKenzie parents did nothing to help an orphaned boy of 18 deal with his grief was ridiculous -- either bad writing or these people are the worst parents in the world. I'm inclined to the latter. I generally like these kind of fluffy romances set in cool places like Wales or Scotland, but these two made Romeo & Juliet's ability to misunderstand the situation look like a breeze.
April 21, 2025
Drawn out
Though Hannah Elis' way with words is impeccable, I was not impressed with the characters in this book. The two protagonists are extremely bad at communication. They don't learn from their mistakes. She is wimpy and he's hot-headed. The twists thrown in in the last 30% of the book are irritating and I was only looking forward to finishing it. Of course I knew how it would end, I just wanted to see what else gets thrown in as an obstacle. I rolled my eyes so hard 🙄
Though Hannah Elis' way with words is impeccable, I was not impressed with the characters in this book. The two protagonists are extremely bad at communication. They don't learn from their mistakes. She is wimpy and he's hot-headed. The twists thrown in in the last 30% of the book are irritating and I was only looking forward to finishing it. Of course I knew how it would end, I just wanted to see what else gets thrown in as an obstacle. I rolled my eyes so hard 🙄
January 7, 2020
I can’t say enough
I absolutely loved this book. It had a lot to measure up to since the first in the series was so amazing, but it definitely did. In Leana’s story Isla was such an offputting character. Now we’ve seen who she really is and have gotten to fall in love with her and Logan’s story. I cannot wait for book three!
I absolutely loved this book. It had a lot to measure up to since the first in the series was so amazing, but it definitely did. In Leana’s story Isla was such an offputting character. Now we’ve seen who she really is and have gotten to fall in love with her and Logan’s story. I cannot wait for book three!
January 8, 2020
Enjoyed this book
I loved the character of Logan in "coming home to the loch" but the growth of the character his faults and the fragility show after the kids of his Dad was heartbreaking. He still remained lovely and although Nick's character was sweet, Isla was destined to be with Logan. Really loved this book
I loved the character of Logan in "coming home to the loch" but the growth of the character his faults and the fragility show after the kids of his Dad was heartbreaking. He still remained lovely and although Nick's character was sweet, Isla was destined to be with Logan. Really loved this book
January 20, 2020
I loved Isla and Logan's story. In book one I didn't care much for Isla and always hated that she was so mean to Logan. I never understood why she was so rude all the time, then while reading book two I finally got why she was the way she was towards him. Towards the middle of the book I found myself rooting for them both. Didn't want the book to end. Loved it.
January 28, 2020
Great read
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Isla and her family even better in The Castle by the Loch. I can’t believe I have to wait for the next book! There were a few times while reading that I wished that part of the story had been in the first book, but I did like how it all came together in the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Isla and her family even better in The Castle by the Loch. I can’t believe I have to wait for the next book! There were a few times while reading that I wished that part of the story had been in the first book, but I did like how it all came together in the end.
June 28, 2020
I loved this story of Logan and Isla! In the first book I found Isla to be an annoying character and didn’t think I would enjoy her story! How wrong was I!!
I laughed and cried reading this book and didn’t want it to end!
Looking forward to ready the next one!
Think I’ve got a new favourite author!
I laughed and cried reading this book and didn’t want it to end!
Looking forward to ready the next one!
Think I’ve got a new favourite author!
March 22, 2021
Loved this!
Having visited Scotland - Skye, and Eilean Donan Castle( We did pay to get in) I knew I had to read this book when I saw the cover. I didn't realize how quickly I'd fall in love with the characters as well as the setting. I'm glad to know I can continue to follow these characters in subsequent books. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to them when the book ended.
Having visited Scotland - Skye, and Eilean Donan Castle( We did pay to get in) I knew I had to read this book when I saw the cover. I didn't realize how quickly I'd fall in love with the characters as well as the setting. I'm glad to know I can continue to follow these characters in subsequent books. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to them when the book ended.
November 2, 2021
Castle in the Skye
I enjoyed this book and recommend reading it. It seemed longer than the first one but still kept me reading late into the night. It’s well written and the characters are fun. Heather does a great job interspersing the timeline from the first book in this one. I’m on to the third now!
I enjoyed this book and recommend reading it. It seemed longer than the first one but still kept me reading late into the night. It’s well written and the characters are fun. Heather does a great job interspersing the timeline from the first book in this one. I’m on to the third now!
December 31, 2019
Enjoyed even more than the 1st!
I absolutely ADORED Leanas story as it was based in Edinburgh so there was a lot of nostalgia as well as loving the story.
I didn't expect to love Islas story as much but if anything I enjoyed it even more! LOVE this series.
I absolutely ADORED Leanas story as it was based in Edinburgh so there was a lot of nostalgia as well as loving the story.
I didn't expect to love Islas story as much but if anything I enjoyed it even more! LOVE this series.
January 12, 2020
Love this series!
I stayed up all night to finish this. Just couldn’t put it down!
The characters are so believable and likable that I just had to know they would be ok.
Definitely recommend starting this series.
I stayed up all night to finish this. Just couldn’t put it down!
The characters are so believable and likable that I just had to know they would be ok.
Definitely recommend starting this series.
March 30, 2020
Loch Lannick series
I loved everything about the Castle by the Loch. It was a perfect love story. A real page turner. As good as the Cafe by the Loch. I highly recommend this series by Hannah Ellis.
I loved everything about the Castle by the Loch. It was a perfect love story. A real page turner. As good as the Cafe by the Loch. I highly recommend this series by Hannah Ellis.
August 13, 2020
Was lost at the beginning as, having read the first in the series, this book began when the main characters were at school much of the story had been covered in the first book. It took the edge off for me
September 5, 2020
The Castle by the Loch
I needed a few tissues for this story, so much heartbreak and so many misunderstandings. I knew they had to finally get their act together and talk so we could have a HEA.
Well told Hannah Ellis.
I needed a few tissues for this story, so much heartbreak and so many misunderstandings. I knew they had to finally get their act together and talk so we could have a HEA.
Well told Hannah Ellis.
December 8, 2020
almost unbearable suspense about the 2 main characters who keep missing chances to connect.. I even skipped ahead as I could not stand it ,, but its about a very wonderful family with 3 daughters .. great descriptions of the landscape and Irish countryside
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews