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Loch Lannick #1
Coming Home to the Loch
What happens when you meet the right person, at the right time, in the wrong place? Twenty-two-year-old Leana Mackenzie is looking for adventure. Full of excitement, she leaves her home in a remote Scottish village and heads for the bright city lights. In Edinburgh she meets Alasdair – a cute and charming singer/songwriter. As their relationship develops everything feels perfect. But as the sparkle of her new life begins to fade, Leana finds herself longing for her cosy home on the Isle of Skye, and the close-knit family she left behind. When Alasdair is offered the career opportunity of a lifetime, Leana is left even more confused. Now, she must choose between a high-flying life as the girlfriend of a celebrity – or returning home to her safe, predictable life. Home is where the heart is … but what happens when the heart is pulled in two different directions?
314 pages, Paperback
Published November 16, 2019
1223 people are currently reading
938 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Ellis
57 books433 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 100 reviews
October 22, 2020
Not my cup of tea ...
Did I miss the recommended age group on this? It reads like a serial in a young girl’s magazine. All dialogue, no depth.
Did I miss the recommended age group on this? It reads like a serial in a young girl’s magazine. All dialogue, no depth.
January 15, 2021
Take me to Skye!
I have a deep love for the Highlands, Skye, and Edinburgh, so the settings for this novel were amazing for me. This was a really satisfying novel and I am excited to read the rest of the series!
I have a deep love for the Highlands, Skye, and Edinburgh, so the settings for this novel were amazing for me. This was a really satisfying novel and I am excited to read the rest of the series!
July 13, 2021
Very quick read. I did not know this was a romance novel - my buddy who visited Scotland suggested the book. Cute. Not mushy at all which is good. Introduced me to a part of Scotland I was not familiar with. Not sure I'll read her other books but then again, I may like the next one in the Loch Lannick series which would be 'The Castle by the Loch'.
April 12, 2020
Mostly this book made me want to read the stories of the supporting characters. I should have skipped it.
May 4, 2022
Great book! The setting of Lannick draws the reader in. And the cast of characters is so fun!
I loved that it was a great clean romance that WASNT super cheesy!
I loved that it was a great clean romance that WASNT super cheesy!
August 20, 2023
Enjoyable read
I enjoyed Coming Home to the Lich and getting to know all the characters. I look forward to reading the next book in the series
I enjoyed Coming Home to the Lich and getting to know all the characters. I look forward to reading the next book in the series
August 30, 2023
Just finished all 9 books of this series. I loved it! Small town saga at it's best. So enjoyable and funny. Love the banter between the sisters and friends. Awesome surprise storyline in the last 2 books! My first time reading Hannah Ellis so will certainly look up her other series. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 24, 2025
I just love Hannah Ellis books and devour them. I love the way the characters pop up in various books. You will not be dissapointed with this author. My go to read daily. Just started Loch Lannick #2
December 11, 2019
Enjoyable read
Coming home to the loch is another easy and enjoyable read. The main characters are all interesting and I can already see some of the other stories that will follow on from this. At the end of the book, the story line wrapped up, and I wanted to hear more. Always a good thing in a book.
Coming home to the loch is another easy and enjoyable read. The main characters are all interesting and I can already see some of the other stories that will follow on from this. At the end of the book, the story line wrapped up, and I wanted to hear more. Always a good thing in a book.
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February 28, 2020Okaaaay
I love Scotland. I holiday there several times a year so I was hoping for a thoughtful, gentle story that would transport me magically to the lochside.
Sigh. This starts with Leana and her father (and the pub landlord) in cahoots to fleece a group of tourists by pretending there had been a mix-up in a booking for a distillery tour, so that the tourists would go to the nearby pub and spend some money and then onto a local art centre/cafe to spend even more. The bagpipe player was 'playing' a set of decorative bagpipes (the music was coming from a hidden speaker) How horrid. How nasty and greedy and grasping.
I stopped at the end of Chapter 1. It might get better, but that scene left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. My only hope was that Leana and her father (and everyone else concerned) got their comeuppance and that in the end she discovered that she was actually not a Scot. I also hope the tour guide works out what was going on and cuts them out of any future trips.
MEH. If you love Scotland don't read this.
I love Scotland. I holiday there several times a year so I was hoping for a thoughtful, gentle story that would transport me magically to the lochside.
Sigh. This starts with Leana and her father (and the pub landlord) in cahoots to fleece a group of tourists by pretending there had been a mix-up in a booking for a distillery tour, so that the tourists would go to the nearby pub and spend some money and then onto a local art centre/cafe to spend even more. The bagpipe player was 'playing' a set of decorative bagpipes (the music was coming from a hidden speaker) How horrid. How nasty and greedy and grasping.
I stopped at the end of Chapter 1. It might get better, but that scene left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. My only hope was that Leana and her father (and everyone else concerned) got their comeuppance and that in the end she discovered that she was actually not a Scot. I also hope the tour guide works out what was going on and cuts them out of any future trips.
MEH. If you love Scotland don't read this.
February 17, 2021
Coming Home to the Loch is the first of a 6 part series by Hannah Ellis. 20 something Leana leaves her remote home town for a new life and the bright city lights of Edinburgh.
A sweet story that's probably more suited to a young adult audience but I enjoyed the descriptions of Scotland. What's not to enjoy about a man wearing a kilt pretending to play the bagpipes for tourists!
The 6 books can all be read on Kindle Unlimited as 2 box sets or individually.
A sweet story that's probably more suited to a young adult audience but I enjoyed the descriptions of Scotland. What's not to enjoy about a man wearing a kilt pretending to play the bagpipes for tourists!
The 6 books can all be read on Kindle Unlimited as 2 box sets or individually.
October 11, 2020
A brilliantly written story of love at first sight.
I couldn't put this book down. The characters are so believable and the clever descriptive writing had me totally absorbed. I laughed out loud at some of the characters' dialogue. If it's made into a movie, I can even see who would play some of them. 😀
I couldn't put this book down. The characters are so believable and the clever descriptive writing had me totally absorbed. I laughed out loud at some of the characters' dialogue. If it's made into a movie, I can even see who would play some of them. 😀
January 17, 2024
The characters didn't really come alive for me. It had all the elements of a good story but although I wanted to know how it ended, there was too much whining by Leanna for me. I won't read the rest of the series.
June 17, 2020
3.5 stars ⭐️ this felt like more off a romance with isle of Skye or heroine And her family than between H/h.
November 11, 2020
This book is OK a bit dull, it's a shame the main character Leana didn't really reach her full potential.
August 2, 2023
Probably not the right choice for a 54 year old.
It didn’t hold my interest at all, neither did I get invested.
Skimmed through the second half.
It didn’t hold my interest at all, neither did I get invested.
Skimmed through the second half.
August 28, 2023
I love Scotland, especially the Isle of Skye, so I was initially very excited to read this. The descriptions were nice and reminded me of my own time there, so that was lovely.
Leana and Alaisdair's relationship, however, never felt in jeopardy. That's what I love about a good romance, the black moment where you wonder if H and h will ever get back together. I never got that feeling in this story.
I mostly enjoyed the characters although Leana didn't feel fully developed. She never really grew. She was always trying to please people and this never changed. Her insecurities about Alasdair on tour were all samey because they've been done sooo many times.
One part that I really disliked was the constant bickering between Isla and Logan. I liked Logan, but Isla's selfishness was a total turn off. 'Coming Home to the Loch' is supposed to entice me to read the next book, Isla and Logan's story, but unfortunately it does the opposite.
Hannah Ellis has a nice writing style, and it was lovely to return to Scotland through the pages of a book. Not a bad book by any means, but there are areas for improvement.
Leana and Alaisdair's relationship, however, never felt in jeopardy. That's what I love about a good romance, the black moment where you wonder if H and h will ever get back together. I never got that feeling in this story.
I mostly enjoyed the characters although Leana didn't feel fully developed. She never really grew. She was always trying to please people and this never changed. Her insecurities about Alasdair on tour were all samey because they've been done sooo many times.
One part that I really disliked was the constant bickering between Isla and Logan. I liked Logan, but Isla's selfishness was a total turn off. 'Coming Home to the Loch' is supposed to entice me to read the next book, Isla and Logan's story, but unfortunately it does the opposite.
Hannah Ellis has a nice writing style, and it was lovely to return to Scotland through the pages of a book. Not a bad book by any means, but there are areas for improvement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2025
I was totally sold on the location for this new series to me. It sounded wonderful and as much as I love Edinburgh, like Leana, my heart would have been very much torn between both settings with the Isle of Skye no doubt coming out on top.
Sparks are flying when Leana and Alasdair meet and I liked the couple immediately. Leana is very much a people pleaser, putting others before herself as well as never being able to say no if it means she can help someone. I felt tired with all that she does and could sympathise with the home sickness she experiences. Alasdair is just a gentle soul and you can easily see why Leana has fallen for him. All the characters are wonderful in this story but a special mention goes to Kyle who was just fabulous and never failed to put a smile on my face.
Coming Home to the Loch highlights issues of long distance relationships and the pulls that come from family and friends. Readers will be routing for the couple to get past what is thrown into their path and make it through to the other side firmly together. It is homely, warm and comforting with a few laughs along the way. A wonderful escape!
Sparks are flying when Leana and Alasdair meet and I liked the couple immediately. Leana is very much a people pleaser, putting others before herself as well as never being able to say no if it means she can help someone. I felt tired with all that she does and could sympathise with the home sickness she experiences. Alasdair is just a gentle soul and you can easily see why Leana has fallen for him. All the characters are wonderful in this story but a special mention goes to Kyle who was just fabulous and never failed to put a smile on my face.
Coming Home to the Loch highlights issues of long distance relationships and the pulls that come from family and friends. Readers will be routing for the couple to get past what is thrown into their path and make it through to the other side firmly together. It is homely, warm and comforting with a few laughs along the way. A wonderful escape!
January 23, 2024
Meh. Very predictable and rather boring. I skipped the entire middle and just read the last chapter.
Amazon synopsis:
What happens when you meet the right person, at the right time, in the wrong place? Twenty-two-year-old Leana Mackenzie is looking for adventure. Full of excitement, she leaves her home in a remote Scottish village and heads for the bright city lights.
In Edinburgh, she meets Alasdair – a cute and charming singer/songwriter. As their relationship develops everything feels perfect. But as the sparkle of her new life begins to fade, Leana finds herself longing for her cozy home on the Isle of Skye, and the close-knit family she left behind.
When Alasdair is offered the career opportunity of a lifetime, Leana is left even more confused. Now, she must choose between a high-flying life as the girlfriend of a celebrity – or returning home to her safe, predictable life.
Home is where the heart is … but what happens when the heart is pulled in two different directions?
Amazon synopsis:
What happens when you meet the right person, at the right time, in the wrong place? Twenty-two-year-old Leana Mackenzie is looking for adventure. Full of excitement, she leaves her home in a remote Scottish village and heads for the bright city lights.
In Edinburgh, she meets Alasdair – a cute and charming singer/songwriter. As their relationship develops everything feels perfect. But as the sparkle of her new life begins to fade, Leana finds herself longing for her cozy home on the Isle of Skye, and the close-knit family she left behind.
When Alasdair is offered the career opportunity of a lifetime, Leana is left even more confused. Now, she must choose between a high-flying life as the girlfriend of a celebrity – or returning home to her safe, predictable life.
Home is where the heart is … but what happens when the heart is pulled in two different directions?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2021
A beautiful love story in Scotland
The descriptions of the characters and the locations left little to the imagination. Leana and her family. Alasdair and his friends. And Lannick, too. I've been to Edinburgh, so no difficulty picturing that amazing city. So it was easy to get wrapped up in the story.
What a strange set of circumstances brought Leana and Alasdair together! And the way their relationship developed into love was not surprising. It was like they were made for each other. But of course there were ups and downs along the way.
Leana's family exerted a strong influence on her. Her homesickness and devotion to them made many of her choices difficult. In the end love wins out. I'd love to know what happens next in the lives of Leana and Alasdair!
The descriptions of the characters and the locations left little to the imagination. Leana and her family. Alasdair and his friends. And Lannick, too. I've been to Edinburgh, so no difficulty picturing that amazing city. So it was easy to get wrapped up in the story.
What a strange set of circumstances brought Leana and Alasdair together! And the way their relationship developed into love was not surprising. It was like they were made for each other. But of course there were ups and downs along the way.
Leana's family exerted a strong influence on her. Her homesickness and devotion to them made many of her choices difficult. In the end love wins out. I'd love to know what happens next in the lives of Leana and Alasdair!
November 10, 2021
A very sweet story set in Skye and Edinburgh. I've been to Edinburgh, Iona, Mull and the Orkney Islands but never to Skye. But it all felt so familiar (and good). It brought back wonderful memories of the Highlands and Edinburgh.
This is the first in a new series about the Mackenzie family of Lannick, Skye. Leanna decided she wanted to move to Edinburgh after spending her life in Skye with her large extended family. She just got in her car and drove to Edinburgh, a five+ hour trip through the Highlands, knowing no one. She had spunk (like Mary Tyler Moore), found a place to live, a job, good friends, and very quickly a handsome, talented boyfriend. But Lannick was calling her back.
I plan to start book #2 immediately!
This is the first in a new series about the Mackenzie family of Lannick, Skye. Leanna decided she wanted to move to Edinburgh after spending her life in Skye with her large extended family. She just got in her car and drove to Edinburgh, a five+ hour trip through the Highlands, knowing no one. She had spunk (like Mary Tyler Moore), found a place to live, a job, good friends, and very quickly a handsome, talented boyfriend. But Lannick was calling her back.
I plan to start book #2 immediately!
August 3, 2023
I chose to read this because I find the life of a small town by a loch appealing. I loved several parts of it - the family bonds and support, the slow speed of life interrupted by bursts of energy and events, the friendships, and the true to life struggles faced. I hated the immoral bits of the story, though some of them are true to life. The casual act of just sleeping together because you want to yet are not married was too much for me. I was vested enough in the sisters to use some of my credits to by the next in the series on Kindle and it was about the same as this. After that though, I didn't continue on with the series and it didn't really seem to be going anywhere and I couldn't really father 7 more of these stories.
August 23, 2022
I love the setting on Skye and I’m excited to read about all the other characters. Leana wasn’t my favorite but I was rooting for her in her difficult and inspiring adventure of leaving her family and hometown to go be the city girl she’s always felt she should be! However, I absolutely hated Alasdair. Their initial story and relationship seemed great at first but quickly turned awful. He is so toxic and I was rooting for Leana to have some self respect and ditch him. I was disappointed that she went off on this grand adventure of self discovery and then immediately met a boy and give up on everything else just for him because he’s dreamy and a musician. I think that’s a big part of why she is my least favorite FMC in the series (so far, I’m only on book 5). I would have liked her to at least put up more of a fight if she absolutely needed to end up with him but it would have been even better if that occurred in a second book. I think their relationship and the way she handled their issues is a bad example of healthy relationships and kinda made me feel icky. If she was my friend, I would be worried for her.
April 18, 2024
Notes mostly for myself. Main conclusion - do not read this author again.
This series of something like 9 books is essentially one long story in which each book abruptly ends when the main focus characters manage to work out their current issues. Then the next book picks up with some adjacent characters. They’re not well written, deep, or sophisticated. There’s little to no character development, and they’re like stream of consciousness written onto the page. A couple of them actually have decent stories but as a whole the series is about 6 books too long.
This series of something like 9 books is essentially one long story in which each book abruptly ends when the main focus characters manage to work out their current issues. Then the next book picks up with some adjacent characters. They’re not well written, deep, or sophisticated. There’s little to no character development, and they’re like stream of consciousness written onto the page. A couple of them actually have decent stories but as a whole the series is about 6 books too long.
September 1, 2020
Coming Home to the Loch
It's been a while since I've read a Hannah Ellis story. At one time I'd read everything she's written, so catching up was something to look forward for me. Hannah did not disappoint she has produced another well told, emotional rollercoaster that held me entranced. I loved the characters, they're diversified and Kyle was definitely totally loveable. Now into book 2.
It's been a while since I've read a Hannah Ellis story. At one time I'd read everything she's written, so catching up was something to look forward for me. Hannah did not disappoint she has produced another well told, emotional rollercoaster that held me entranced. I loved the characters, they're diversified and Kyle was definitely totally loveable. Now into book 2.
October 6, 2020
Beautiful description of surroundings
It was an okay story. I like the characters and the setting the author sold the loch living and described it beautifully. Yhe whole family were lovely too and you could imagine that sense of home that leana thought of often.
The book was a page turner only because i was waiting for the plot to kick in. It just felt all the same. Get up, drink, work there wasnt much else to grasp me. Other than this it was okay.
It was an okay story. I like the characters and the setting the author sold the loch living and described it beautifully. Yhe whole family were lovely too and you could imagine that sense of home that leana thought of often.
The book was a page turner only because i was waiting for the plot to kick in. It just felt all the same. Get up, drink, work there wasnt much else to grasp me. Other than this it was okay.
November 12, 2021
Small island girl meets musician who is turning into a rock star
I enjoyed the book, didn’t get closure with all the characters. Kyle was a very colorful character in a very fun way! He seemed to bring a lot of cheer wherever he went! Alister and Leanna has a nice relationship from the start. I enjoyed how easy their conversation were for the most part until they weren’t. Fun to read about two people so madly in love.
I enjoyed the book, didn’t get closure with all the characters. Kyle was a very colorful character in a very fun way! He seemed to bring a lot of cheer wherever he went! Alister and Leanna has a nice relationship from the start. I enjoyed how easy their conversation were for the most part until they weren’t. Fun to read about two people so madly in love.
April 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this series of nine books set on the beautiful isle of Skye in Scotland, in particular getting to know McKenzie sisters and their friends. The series doesn’t tell one story at a time but rather is a continuation of the previous books and builds on the storylines, a format that worked real well for these characters as you build relationships with them as their lives develop. Having recently been to Skye I also enjoyed recognising places that I visited.
August 12, 2023
A Year in the Life
Great story ... great characters. I breezed right through this book, loving the dynamic of Leana and her family and friends. The description of Loch Lannick made me want to live there.
Hannah Ellis did an amazing job telling the story of a young woman's search for happiness in the city, only to realize it's not for her. Now that she's found love, can she find a way to have it all?
Great story ... great characters. I breezed right through this book, loving the dynamic of Leana and her family and friends. The description of Loch Lannick made me want to live there.
Hannah Ellis did an amazing job telling the story of a young woman's search for happiness in the city, only to realize it's not for her. Now that she's found love, can she find a way to have it all?
October 11, 2025
Not my kind of story
I’ve read other Hannah Ellis books set in Skye and was curious to read this one. Ms. Ellis has also written the Lily Larkin series, which skillfully combines mystery with personal relationships. This book was centered around the romance of Leana and Alasdair so it didn’t interest me. I also liked other characters more than either Leana or Alasdair. If you like romance and want to read about Skye and Edinburgh, you may enjoy it more than I did.
I’ve read other Hannah Ellis books set in Skye and was curious to read this one. Ms. Ellis has also written the Lily Larkin series, which skillfully combines mystery with personal relationships. This book was centered around the romance of Leana and Alasdair so it didn’t interest me. I also liked other characters more than either Leana or Alasdair. If you like romance and want to read about Skye and Edinburgh, you may enjoy it more than I did.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews