Jilting the Kilt

Kilted Hearts #0.5

by Kait Nolan

Arranged marriages are so three centuries ago. But that doesn't stop Afton Lennox from being bound by one. All her life she's been pledged to wed Connor MacKean. It's the only way to save both their families' estates, and they're friends, after all, so it won't be that bad. Right?

Hamish Colquhoun has spent his entire adult life trying to find a way to liberate his best friend from a marriage he doesn't want. If it also spares the woman he's secretly loved for years, it's of no mind to him. He's already got a wife and family of his own. Freeing them both is just the right thing to do.

But with the wedding just days away, time is running short. Afton and Connor are prepared to do their duty, fulfilling the pact made by their long-dead ancestors. There's one option Hamish hasn't mentioned. It would only buy some time at best and risk everything at worst. But as Afton begins to question everything, Hamish finds he can't stay silent.

God save them all.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Scotland, Contemporary, Audiobook, Historical

32 pages, ebook

First published November 17, 2022

About the author

Kait Nolan is a RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin', and can wield a 'Bless your heart' like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world's most perfect food. When she's not writing, reading, working the evil day job, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off.

Sign up for her newsletter! rebrand.ly/kaitsnewsletter

Reviews

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute prequel to the Kilted Hearts series. It’s not necessary to read it in order to understand the first book, but I wish I had done so. It gave a little background to the marriage pact that is behind Afton gambling her estate away to Raleigh. I also liked seeing some interaction between Afton and Hamish. 😊

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Jilting the Kilt" is a prequel novella to Kait Nolan's new Kilted Hearts series, set in Scotland. Readers won't be lost if they skip ahead to book one, but IMO the background and context this story provides will contribute to a richer reading experience.

Generations ago, the Lennox and MacKean families made an agreement to end their longstanding feud with a marriage pact. The pact has yet to be fulfilled due to a lack of appropriate heirs on one side or the other, so the responsibility has been passed down to the current generation, Afton Lennox and Connor MacKean. After growing up together knowing that their marriage had already been arranged, Connor and Afton have become good friends, but they aren't in love. However, under the terms of the agreement, if they don't get married, both of their families will lose their ancestral homes.

Connor's best friend, Hamish Colquhoun, became a lawyer in large part to try and help his friends get out of the marriage pact, but none of his efforts have been successful. When Afton panics a week before the wedding, Hamish attempts to comfort her and accidentally shares the only possible loophole he's found: she could gamble and lose her family's legacy, transferring the marriage obligation but at the expense of giving up the family home. Afton decides it's worth the risk, packs up, and secretly leaves town.

The story ends on a cliffhanger, but it's an intriguing setup for the future books in the series. The novella introduces several interesting characters and potential couples, including Hamish and Afton, whose story will be revisited and completed later in the series.

I'd recommend this novella for all contemporary romance fans. It certainly hooked me and I can't wait to find out what's to come in this series.

[Nickole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rcvd an advanced reader copy from the author for giving my two cents. We saw a glimpse of the book in the previous book. An arranged marriage centuries in the making, Afton can't believe she is forced to marry her friend in order for them to save their ancestral lands. Connor isn't a bad guy..Afton isn't in love with him. Her friend, and Connors bff along with being a lawyer has tried to find a loophole to no avail however one encounter has him spilling secrets. Can Afton get away or will she continue to be miserable.

[Kait Nolan]

Now available! https://books2read.com/kiltedheartspr...

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A*R*C for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars

Jilting the Kilt is the prequel to the new series Kilted Hearts by Kait Nolan where she takes us across the pond to Scotland, a 300 year old pact for arranged marriages and a cliffhanger…

Can’t wait for book 1, Cowboy in a Kilt to see what happens…

[Rellim · Rating 5 out of 5]

KoboPlus

This prequel short story launches Kait Nolan’s Kilted Hearts series.

This is not intended as a stand alone, a complete story, or even more than a tease of the series. Yet Nolan, as she does so well – made me laugh, cry, and even want to knock some heads together. Goal achieved. I absolutely can’t wait to dive in to Cowboy in a Kilt.

Narration:
Amy McFadden and Joe Arden. Swoon! These two with their accents, emotions, and sexy deliveries. …sigh…

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good start to a new series. My only “beef” with this is that the narrators are sometimes hard to understand when they are doing Scottish accents. Otherwise, I’m looking forward to this series!

[Casey Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous introduction to an intriguing series. Charming, witty and the beginning of some very interesting stories to come.

[Mary M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cliffhanger? I realize the is a Prequel, but what the hell is the next book?

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect prequel teaser - I am excited to read the series

This is a prequel novella teaser set up to the Kilted Hearts series. It ends on a cliffhanger. As long as you understand that, you’ll enjoy the brief taste. It introduces us to Afton, Hamish, Connor and Kyla and the three hundred year old marriage pact that must be fulfilled in order to retain the ancestral land for two families. This teasing taste was well written and engaging. I am excited to see how the stories for these characters play out.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick read. An enticing prequel that ends on a cliffhanger.

I thought the idea of a 300 year old prearranged marriage occurring in the 21st century was intriguing. How does one get around that when the possibility exists that you could lose everything you have?

Afton and Connor were friendly, but didn't seem like they were friends to me. Maybe Connor was so busy wallowing in his own despair that he didn't give Afton much consideration.

I am looking forward to the next books to see how all of the characters come into.play. This arrangement will have an impact on not only Connor and Afton, but Kyla, Hamish, and Dayna. I have a sneaking suspicion that Kyla's partner David won't escape the fray unscathed.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this prequel.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even when a reader has doubts about the theme of story or a series, this very talented author throws them a line and in an instant hooks the reader into not only this novella , but the entire series. That was the case in this instant.
We are taken to a modern day village in Scotland where an arranged marriage, one arranged ages ago, is due to take place. Though friends, neither participant is looking forward to the union. But tradition, family, land and the future generations depend on them.
Meanwhile, their mutual friend, Hamish, has tried unsuccessfully to find a loophole. Though he knows he can never be part of Afton’s life, he’ll do all he can to help the girl he’s loved forever.
What happens when Afton takes matters into her hands? A surprise couple from a previous story comes to her rescue leaving the reader anxious to read the next story in this new series.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is written to give us the background to a new series. It is hard to believe that it started 300 years ago in Scotland where families had contracts where certain people had to marry or lose their land to the crown. Afton was suppose to marry Connor so they could both keep their land. Connor’s best friend Hamish had tried to find a way out so the two didn’t have to marry. Was there a way? You will need to read this novella to see what will happen. I was given a copy and voluntarily wrote a review.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

As this book opens, we join Connor MacKean and Afton Lennox in church as the third and final Bann is read. The problem here is that Afton doesn't love Connor, they are friends and that's a good thing, but they shouldn't be getting married. They both know their duty to family and even though Connor's best friend and lawyer Hamish Colquhoun has spent most of his career looking for some loophole, it just wasn't to be.

In spite of the current year, the Crown is holding them to an arrangement made over three hundred years ago. The families will be joined by this marriage pact or both properties will revert to the Crown.

Connor and Afton have something else in common, they lost their parents to the same plane crash. While Connor has siblings and extended family, Afton is an only child something she feels acutely as they join the Ceilidh/engagement party at the Stag's Head. The crowd seems to be closing in on her with the realization none of them are here for her alone. She needs to be away from this for a while and she sneaks out the back.

Connor is still holding her drink when Hamish gets to the bar to get his wife her gin and tonic. He valiantly offers to bring it to Afton which he attempts to do after giving his wife hers.

Hamish finds her in the center of the stone dance but on seeing him she has an anxiety attack.

That Afton and Hamish have feelings for each other comes as a total surprise. Especially knowing he's married and she's about to be wed to someone who would never divorce her.

Oh, but I want that HEA and I love the secret he tells her before he returns to the pub.

I have already started the next book in this series.

[Susan S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet and worth the read! When I finished reading Nolan's "Caught Up With the Captain", book 5 of of the "Bad Boy Bakers" there was a teaser about "Jilting the Kilt". After reading it, I remember thinking, that the introduction was very different from what I usually read from Kait Nolan; however, I also remember thinking that I couldn't wait for the novella to arrive. And I was right! The setting is Scotland, the premise based on a 300 year old pact between families. Had it been from another author, I may have passed. But Nolan has never disappointed me and now I can say the same for "Jilting the Kilt". It is a novella, so it is short, but it is packed with interesting characters and a storyline that I can't wait to continue reading. I don't know how she does it, but after just a few thousand words, I'm hooked!
I know that novellas are not always necessary to read before the accompanying book, but I would highly recommend reading "Jilting the Kilt." You're bound to fall in love with Afton and wonder how in the world she is going to fix this pact. With Rebecca and Grey involved, are they headed back to Tennessee? There are so many other curious characters and each needs to have his/her story told. This introduction has me anxiously awaiting for the rest of the clan's story. Next up: "Cowboy in a Kilt" coming in January!

[Nathathida Atirekasâra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give it to Kait Nolan to start her new series with this intriguing novella and a couple in this book isn't even the first couple in the series!

Afton, Connor, and Hamish have been friends since they were children. While Afton and Connor alway know that they're going to get married to each other when they grow up, Afton has secretly crushed on Hamish. I don't know about Hamish's feeling because while he is helping Connor and Afton to find a way to eliminate their wedding, he is the first one to get married ...to someone else... So it seems Afton's feeling is just one side. But what happened before the wedding makes me feel intrigued and now I'm going to sit still and wait for their chance to get their own happy ending for sure. But I'm hooked by their hometown history too! so I think at this point, I'm okay with any couple Kait Nolan plans to give me, LOL.

Now this is my warning, I'm lucky that I read a lot of Highland Historical Romance so I'm familiar with their language but if you are new, give it a try and you would find it fascinating!

[Avigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing several long, emotionally heavy books, I was craving something short and light, and Kait Nolan’s Jilting the Kilt was exactly that. At just 33 pages, it’s a quick prequel to the Kilted Hearts series, offering a charming glimpse into the Scottish Highlands and the characters’ intertwined fates. The story follows Afton Lennox, bound by an arranged marriage to Connor MacKean, and her best friend Hamish, who longs to free her from duty. The novella’s brevity made it an easy, refreshing read, though I couldn’t help feeling like a child handed a lollipop only to have it taken away—it left me wanting more. Some readers felt the same, noting that the short format limited the emotional depth and world-building, yet it still served as a warm and engaging introduction to the series. I’m glad I already have the first full installment to continue with, eager to learn more about these characters and their Scottish lands. I plan to enjoy the series by listening to the audiobook while reading, letting the Scottish accents bring the story’s charm to life. Jilting the Kilt may be brief, but it’s a sweet start to a promising romantic adventure.

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kait Nolan makes a smooth transition from her usual Southen fiction to a Scottish tale. After three hundred years, a pact made between families with the Crown’s approval can now be fulfilled by marrying the children of those families to each other. But it’s the twenty-first century, and the intended bride (Afton) and groom (Connor) aren’t thrilled by the idea. Duty, and the fear of losing their families’ estates, has them agreeing to marry. But as the Banns are read, something happens that might change things.

As always, a well-written story with interesting characters and a tangled web tying them all together. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to see what happens.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jilting The Kilt: A Kilted Hearts Prequel, my third read from author Kait Nolan. A 33-page cute romance read, well-written, entertaining & enjoyable. I'll read more from this author. I own 53 other books by this author & after reading this one they've just moved higher on my TBR list. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. It all started with the author's newsletter email regarding Wish I Might (Wishful, #5) which was my first read/listen from author Kait Nolan. Well-written & enjoyable. a cute romance, the fifth book in this series, in which she wrote about Gloriana's (Kissed You) Good Nightsong/video which she credits as the influence for this book. So I went out and watched the video and knew I had to read the book. The characters in the video became the faces of the characters in the book.. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've left the deep south and crossed the pond to Scotland to begin a new series by one of my very favorite one-click authors, Kait Nolan. Everything this woman writes is always on my both my wish list then among my favorite reads when I'm finished.
This short prequel introduces us to Connor MacKean and Afton Lennox, who are about to be married to break a 300 year old pact. While they've been friends for years, this is definitely not a love match. In fact, someone else has their eye on the bride...
Obviously, it ends in a cliffhanger, but I've already preordered the next book! Can't wait to see what happens next with Afton. Oh, and she meets a very nice couple who readers might recognize from the previous series, Bad Boy Bakers (if you haven't read it, go grab them now!) ;)

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short novella was one that I actually read after finishing Cowboy in a Kilt. It certainly helped to give context to the headspace that Afton was in when she decided to runaway and start the events of this series. I mean, I completely understood her reasoning before actually reading about it from her point of view. But then, I had even more sympathy.

This novella also gives a whole lot more insight into just how the pact works and it came into being. Plus, the amount of work that Hamish went through to find that tiny little loophole that lead to Raleigh and Kyla’s happily ever after. I loved that this novella just gave you answers to questions you weren’t quite sure to ask. And, also acted as a great prologue for Cowboy in a Kilt.

Lastly, this novella was a great teaser for Hamish and Afton as a couple. Even though their book hasn’t been published yet. And it’s going to be like… the fifth book in the series. I have a whole lot of time to wait until I get to dive into this one!

[Jean Katchmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prequel to the series "Kilted Hearts"...Series is set in the village of Glenlaig, Scotland. A pact was made 300 years ago between the MacKean and Lennox clans to end the feuding and bloodshed. Currently Afton Lennox, living at Lochmara and owning the 1000's of acres surrounding it, was to marry Connor Mac Kean, living at Ardinmuir and owning the 1000's of acres surrounding it. Hamish Colquhoun as the lawyer currently in charge of upholding the pact and carrying out the marriage. But Afton does not wish to marry her childhood friend. She learns of a loophole and leaves Scotland and loses the Lennox Estate in a poker game in Las Vegas. Raleigh Rembault of Scotish heritage wins the poker game and becomes the Baron of Lochmara and its acreage. Now what about the pact????

[Evie V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for what's next

Afton isn't looking forward to her wedding day but if she doesn't go through with it everything she's ever known will be taken from her. Hamish has tried everything he could think of to free his best friend Connor and Afton from the marriage pact but had come up empty. Both Connor and Afton have been raised knowing that it was their duty to marry but they're nothing more than friends. A week before their wedding, Afton can't take it anymore. She doesn't expect for Hamish to rescue her from her marriage to Connor. Will Afton finally be free to live her life however she pleases?

[Booklover Judy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in third person from a dual POV, this prequel sets the stage for the new series. Readers learn of a several-hundred-year-old pact between two families and how that resulted in planning an arranged marriage between them in the present day. Though Afton likes her intended well enough as a friend, she also recognizes that she has feelings for another that cannot be pursued. Hamish is a friend and a lawyer who has tried his best to find a loophole to stop the arranged marriage for his friends . He finally gives Afton the clue she needs, and she decides to make a run for it. This leads to destinies changing in ways she never could have anticipated, and I can’t wait to read.

[Ashlee Tharman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man!!


If I've ever wanted a friends to lovers story this is it. When Afton recognizes that her life is about to be officially impacted by the pact marriage arrangement set centuries ago, she's given a way out by the man she truly loves, she sets off to the airport in order to make sure she's able to set herself - and perhaps her heart - free.

This was such a sweet little prequel. A short read introducing us to the main characters of the series to follow, it's going to be so easy to get attached to all the characters. Nolan is especially good at this. I'm glad to have discovered Kait Nolan and have devoured the books of hers I've read and this was no exception!

[Gail Frankowiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful prequel to a new Kait Nolan series. I for one can not wait for the new releases. The walking away from your current life into an unknown future is a concept I wish I would have the guts to try. The sneak peak between a couple that we currently know was a great surprise.

As with all of Kait books, you can just picture the town and situation she is writing about. Her writing is so very descriptive. It makes you fall in love with the characters and care what happens to them.

I received an ARC, but this did not impact my good review.

[Kimberly Stamiti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A centuries old feud that can only end with the fulfillment of a generations old marriage pact sounds like medieval lore except that it's about to happen in modern day Scotland, in Kait Nolan's new book,  Jilting the Kilt!

Faced with a loveless marriage to a childhood friend, and buoyed by whisky and forbidden passions, runaway bride Afton makes a bold escape, setting off a shocking chain of events!

Jilting the Kilt is the must read, exciting prequel cliffhanger kick off to Kait Nolan's new series Kilted Hearts!

[Irene S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is a short prequel, the author Kait Nolan can pack so much into the story that I feel like I know the main characters and can feel their emotions. I had already ordered the prequel, but when I was offered an ARC, I jumped on the opportunity to start the series a few days early. I love the story and the characters. The only downside is that it ends up with a cliffhanger so I have to wait to read the rest of Afton's story. This is a great start to a new series.

[Elaine A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but interesting read. Afton and Connor are set to marry in a week to finally satisfy a pact made hundreds of years ago to keep the family property from going to the Crown. Although they are friends, Afton just can’t see herself married to Connor for the rest of her life, especially when she has her eyes on someone else. But it sets the stage, apparently, for the rest of the series and I am sure we are going to see these two again in future books of the series.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. The drama! The angst! This book may be a short little prequel, but it sets the stage for so many possibilities, so many complications. I almost feel like the author looked at her characters and asked: “what’s the worst possible thing that could happen to them?”, then ran with it. My tender, romantic heart bleeds over the situation these families have found themselves in, but the part of me that revels in reality television is so here for every juicy drama-laden moment of it.