Scot as Hell

by Niema Hunt

Amory Quinn never set-out to cross the proverbial line with bestie Lachlan Baehr, but the man is hot as hell and well stuff happens right?

Fortunately, in a day and age where, a Friends With Benefits Situationship between two consenting adults doesn’t exactly raise eyebrows, it’s hardly a problem.

Unfortunately for Amory, Lachlan is not a FWB Situationship type of guy. Nope, he’s definitely a more of a friends-to-lovers-to-significant others type and as far as he’s concerned if she likes it, she can either put a ring on it or get out of his bed.

Yep. No ring, no sex.

Now, not one to resist a challenge, Amory’s going to use every sensual technique in her arsenal to lure her stubborn Scottish best friend back between her sheets where he belongs or die trying.

After all its not worth risking their friendship on some stupid hare-brained, doomed to failure, nonsense like marriage is it?

Scot as Hell is a sexy, friends with benefits / best friends to lovers, workplace romance featuring a modern sexy Scottish double amputee beta hero and the witty, red-haired, opinionated, afraid of nothing but commitment, best female friend he’s fallen hopelessly in unrequited love with.

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2022

About the author

Niema Hunt writes Austen-inspired romances set in the Royal Austen Space Fleet Universe and Regency London — stories where the wit, the social intrigue, the longing, and the slow burn stay the same. The setting changes. The humanity doesn't.
Jane Austen understood that the most compelling thing a man can be is kind, selfless, attentive, and honest about his feelings. Niema writes in that tradition — her heroes must become worthy of the women they love, and her heroines never settle for less. Her books portray disability, trauma, and mental health in all their messy reality — no miraculous cures, no pity, no skirting round the hard parts. The romance is real and complicated, the happily ever afters are earned, and the bedroom doors stay firmly open.
Off the page, she drinks the tea and does what her feline writing companion wants. The tea is usually Earl Grey. The cat has no comment.

P.S. — Niema keeps her best stories for her particular friends in the Scandal Set. Subscriber-exclusive novels, bonus scenes, and content that never appears anywhere else. 'Exclusive intelligence for Ardent Readers': www.NiemaHunt.com

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Niema Hunt and it will definitely not be my last. Because I absolutely LOVED it!

This best friends to lovers, workplace romance is one of the sweetest, most heartfelt romances I've read this year so far.
I picked it up for my disabled MCs feature because the hero is a modern Scottish double amputee and I just must say; I was in for a treat! A sexy, sweet and spicy, absolutely delicious treat full of heart that I couldn't get enough of.

The plot was great and the angst just right, the spicy scenes were delicious and the feeling behind it all... chef's kiss. But the best part of it all were the characters. They are simply wonderful.

Armory is pretty awesome. Fun and sassy and all around great to have as BFF. As for Lachlan, he's one hell of a keeper! As good as it gets if you ask me. And no, I'm not talking about his washboard abs, broad shoulders or very fine behind. I'm talking about that whole gentlemanly manner and gentleness and cinnamon roll thing the big Scot's got going, apart from being hot as hell. I'm talking about that mix of strength and vulnerability that makes him pretty much amazing, even during the times when he's being quite stupid. And yes, he's all of that while being disabled, and he feels downright real.

I absolutely loved Lachlan and truly appreciated the way his disability was represented. No corners cut and no miraculous healing, no crutch to keep the plot going. This writer pictures it all as real as it gets, as an integral part of the MC's life, as something that you cannot overcome, but adapt to, and learn to live with.

I loved the dynamic between Armory and Lachlan and that slow shift from friendship-love to romantic-love. And then that end!! Oh, my heart! That is what 'love you properly' truly means.


Book gifted by the author for my disabled MCs blog feature.
Thank you Niema Hunt. This was a delight!

[Pippi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scot as Hell by Niema Hunt was a heartfelt and engaging read. Lachlan was a heartwarming hero, vulnerable, thoughtful, and passionate. His depth and emotional honesty really stood out. In contrast, Amory often came across as insensitive and stubborn. While their physical chemistry was undeniably hot, her tendency to push for sex despite his need for deeper emotional connection sometimes felt uncomfortably close to sexual coercion. What I most appreciated was the exploration of the psychological and physical struggles amputees face in relationships. That perspective gave the story authenticity and heart, even when the romance dynamic felt uneven. The book could benefit from another round of proofreading with mistakes that suggest voice-to-text was used without thorough editing. Overall, a compelling story with an unforgettable hero, but the execution, both in editing and in the heroine’s characterisation, kept it from being a five-star read.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh...I liked the *idea* of this book, but the reality was very meh for me. To me, it read like fan-fiction for a fandom I didn't know where the point was just to write sexual tension devolving into sex scenes, not to do such traditionally novelley things like, say developing plot, character, setting, conflict, or resolution. I started skimming pretty hard around 30% because I wanted to follow the treads of this book that were interesting to me (the amputee, the bestfriendship) but ended up DNF around 50% because, just--blah. I want this author to get a really good editor and make a few more drafts and I might be willing to try again because--not enough double amputee/best friends romances out there, right??

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

super sweet plot and couple

I love Amory and Lachlan as a couple and enjoyed seeing the dynamic of their relationship unfurl while dealing with ups and downs.