The Great Scot

Chisholm Brothers #2

by Donna Kauffman

In Bad Boys in Kilts, USA Today bestselling author Donna Kauffman introduced the divinely sexy Chisholm brothers. Now, get ready for oldest brother Dylan, a man whose duty to his heritage will not be upended by anything-or anyone. But passion has a way of throwing everything off-kilter . . . Loch And Load, Baby Location coordinator Erin McGregor knows she's finally found the perfect setting for her romance reality show, Your Prince Charming. The Chisholm clan stronghold in the Scottish Highlands has it all-romantic moors, windswept cliffs, misty lochs, a four-hundred-year-old castle, and possibly the most gorgeous man she's ever laid eyes on in chieftain Dylan Chisholm. Nothing like a guy with a sexy accent and a big . . . turret to make a girl all wonky-kneed. Right. No time for wonky. Time to get over her fixation with the Hot Scot and get back to business. And Erin will . . . any minute now . . . With his three youngest brothers spoken for, Dylan Chisholm is at the top of his village's matchmaking list. Now they've sent some impish, forthright American lass up to tempt him into a devil's he can let the Yanks use his castle to film their foolish romance show, and in exchange, he'll get the money his village desperately needs. It took a tragic loss to get Dylan to embrace his heritage and his duty. He can't turn away from such a promising offer. But keeping his thoughts off Erin McGregor is another matter. She's everything he never wanted in a woman, and suddenly, she's everything he craves in every way possible . . .

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Scotland, Paranormal, Adult

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2007

About the author

USA Today bestseller and award winning author of the Cupcake Club series and the Blueberry Cove series, DONNA KAUFFMAN has been gratified to see her books get rave reviews in venues ranging from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and Cosmopolitan. She lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia, where she is happily working on the next book in her brand new Blue Hollow Falls series, set right in her mountain home area. When she's not writing, she can be found recapping the popular tv show NCIS for USA Today, or escaping into her garden to play in the dirt. Donna also works as a volunteer wildlife transporter for two local sanctuaries, giving orphaned and injured wildlife a second chance at survival. You can catch up on all of her adventures via her author page on Facebook, or on Twitter, or Instagram @writerchick. Donna loves to hear from readers!

Donna Kauffman passed away on April 9, 2020 of pancreatic cancer.

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are complex and well written. I enjoyed learning about their pasts and why they thought the way they did in certain situations. I could relate to the heroine well and liked the fact that she was just an average female instead of a beauty queen. The secondary characters were also a lot of fun and I found myself wishing there were more about part of them as well. In terms of the story the only thing I might have wanted is that they have a bit more of the reality t.v. show playing a part somehow in it and perhaps a bit more of a climax. The happily ever after seemed a bit rushed to me toward the end. Perhaps an Epilogue would have fixed that? Over all it was a very good read and the heroine seemed super sexy (brooding, intense, a past, and tall, dark, Scottish accent.. what wasn't to like :)? )

[AerinLuvs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall 4'stars /// plot 4 stars / hero rating 5 stars / heroine rating 5 stars / writing flow, grammar, etc - 3 stars / sensuality rating 4 stars / erotic tension 4 stars / sex scenes descriptiveness 4 stars / sex scenes frequency 4 stars / denouement 5 stars

This is the second Donna Kauffman book I've read, the first was her prequel to this book! Bad Boys in Kilts, which tells the love stories of Dylan Chisholm's 3 younger bros in 3 novellas. This one however, was a novel, so it was more deep and meaningful so to speak, which was kind of nice but kind of an unexpected change of pace, literally. So it took a while to get started for me and I had no idea how the plot would unfold. I wasn't sure I was into Dylan at first until he finally made his move, and MMMM it was worth waiting for!

[Gina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I didn't like this book more. The writing was pretty good, and I thought the characters were real...with a realistic romance progression. He's a widower whose come back to his ancestral mansion to save it by turning it into a B&B. She's the location scout for a "Bachlorette" type TV show who wants to use his castle for filming. They meet. Sparks fly. The busybody town and his brothers stick their noses in. The tension (why they resist the sparks) comes from his past marriage/death of his wife and her incredibly low self-esteem - i.e. "Guys like him never go for girls like me." Not a bad book, overall, but for some reason I was bored and didn't really care if they got together.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent ending to the saga of the Scottish brothers that was started in Bad Boys in Kilts. Great modern Scottish romance! I love the female character Donna Kauffman created in this book. GREAT light-hearted read!!

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly well written. The cover is nothing to judge by. Donna creates a tender story of two unlikely people coming together for an unexpected tryst that changes thier lives. A delightful find; besides, who can pass up a steamy Scot?

[Amanda McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this book! Again Kauffman proves her mastery in storytelling! Beautiful setting and even more wonderful characters!
Brava, Ms. Kauffman!

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story in a great series!

[Sandlynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

January 16, 2017

Donna Kauffman's The Great Scot by Donna Kauffman, published in 2007, has a good premise, but I didn’t like it as much as I hoped. The story involves an American woman who is a location scout for a reality television show, along the same lines as “The Bachelor.” Erin McGregor has been on her own for most of her life which has left her free to pursue an exciting life traveling the globe for this TV show. The latest season of the show takes her to Scotland where she comes upon a quaint village, a castle in need of a great many repairs, and a man trying to restore his heritage, while making it pay. Dylan Chisholm, having returned to his hometown after his wife’s death, has been keeping to himself. Although the title has little meaning in modern times, Dylan is “clan chief,” and his younger brothers as well as most in the village would like him to remain at home, so they’ve been trying to set him up with a new romantic interest. The arrival of a matchmaking reality show seems a perfect set up to do just that. Little do they all know, though, Dylan is finding himself growing more and more attracted to the globe traveling cute location scout, whose career and ambitions don’t include a quaint Scottish village.

I had hopes that this story would spend more time in the goofy world of reality television and its disruption of the village, as well as the romance between Erin and Dylan. However, after setting up the premise the story narrows down to Erin and Dylan scouting date night locations and lusting after each other. All that is fine, but it gets boring after a while. I just felt the story could’ve had more potential than it realized. I would give this a B-/C.

[Cherise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Try as I might, I just could not get into this book like I wanted to. I really enjoyed the prequel, Bad Boys in Kilts; a nice little anthology that introduced us to three of the four Chisholm brothers. So when I heard she was going to make Dylan's story his own novel, I was excited, to say the least.

Erin MacGregor comes to Scotland to choose a location for the reality TV show, Your Prince Charming. The show is like our reality TV show, The Bachelor. She falls in love with Dylan's family home/castle and after a small series of events; he agrees to let the show film there. I thought both Dylan and Erin were remarkably wonderful and loveable characters; they had tremendous chemistry and appeal. I also liked the book's premise, so for the life of me can not figure out why I didn't like it more.

I got sort of bored with this one midway through and decided I wasn't in the mood for it, so I read two books before I decided to pick it back up. Turns out it wasn't my mood. Both Erin and Dylan have a lot of baggage from their past which only gets explored and discussed briefly. Since their past is a major obstacle for their present, I think I would have liked the author to expand a bit more on that, especially Erin's past.

I really think the problem I had with this book is that it seemed unnecessarily long. I think it was an anthology story stretched to its limits to make it a novel. It finally picks up momentum just in time for the book to end. It's not a bad book; I just think it would have been better suited as story number four in the anthology.

Cherise Everhard, May 2007

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull. Repetitive. The romance was unconvincing.

Erin goes to Scotland to scout out a location for a reality TV show, and convinces Dylan to let her rent out his castle (which he's turning into a B&B).

From the beginning, Dylan finds Erin to be plain and doesn't understand why he's attracted to her. This became a broken record, both in his mind and in hers (with slightly different tones). Now, the handsome man falling in love with the plain girl is a romance genre standard that I can really get behind -- but it is not convincing when there is some "mysterious something" he feels for her at first sight and spends the rest of the book thinking about over and over again. Roundabout the tenth time he repeats to himself that she's just not his type, I start to believe him ... that she's just not his type and he should give it up already! For the plain girl scenario to be convincing for me, the "lust at first sight" element can't come into play. Rather, he finds her more and more intriguing as he gets to know her.

There wasn't much depth to this story, especially as long as it was. The characters were okay, but they fell in love too quickly and for implausible reasons. A lot of their discussions about love and finding love did remind me strongly of the reality show backdrop. Maybe if I were into that kind of show, I would have liked the book better?

[☆.。.:*・°☆Love2Read♡HEAs☆.。.:*・°☆ {Anne} · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I'm so annoyed! I just wrote a great (and lengthy) review on this 30 minutes ago and now it's gone! Poof, up in smoke, gone! Whatever, but I'm not rewriting all that again darn it!

The first book, an anthology, with 3 novellas, was about the Chisholm family's three youngest brothers. If you read this book, you should technically read that one first.

This book is about Dylan, the oldest brother of the Chisholms. He had a personal tragedy in his life that made him take a long look at his life. He decided to finally embrace what he was destined for, head of their clan. He was left in charge of their stronghold, a castle, as well as the village, located in Scotland.

He didn't always take that responsibility seriously though. At one time he was carefree & fun loving. Not so much anymore, but rather a grump. Will he ever get his personality back?

Some Americans want to make a reality romance show and want to use the Chisholm castle. He is dead set against it but his village is in need of the funds. So he agrees, against his better judgement.

Along come the TV crew, including a gal named Erin. Little does Dylan know, she's going to turn his life upside down, in more than one way.

Of course, his 3 brothers have to get involved with their antics. It's fun reading as the chaos unfolds.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I loved how neither one of the characters was looking, or even ready, to meet someone they could fall in love with. Erin was a loner, her life defined by her job, and she fiercely guarded her independence so she wouldn't be disappointed or abandoned by anyone. Dylan was pouring himself into turning his family's castle into a bed & breakfast. After a miserable marriage and two years of being a widower, he was in no way wanting to pursue anyone, especially someone who was so obviously NOT his type. All of that didn't stand a chance against the chemistry between Dylan and Erin. They found themselves attracted to each other, which led to spending time together despite their protests and the chaos surrounding her job, and they had no hope of keeping their emotions out of it. Dylan was borderline alpha... he was a little to unsure and vulnerable (to me) to be considered alpha, but he was strong and sexy and once he decided his course, he single-mindedly went after it. Erin was a bit too wishy-washy and hung up on her independence which led to the inevitable problems between them. I loved the ending, though, and Donna Kauffman really hit the jackpot with the way she had BOTH of them swallow their pride and take a leap of faith.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book just dragged on a bit too long for me. Dylan’s story wasn’t three times more complex or more interesting than his brothers’ (featured in Bad Boys in Kilts novella anthology), yet it was three times as long. The characters just kept dancing around each other and REFUSING TO COMMUNICATE.

It felt like we basically skipped over the climax. We didn’t get to see either Erin or Dylan learn about the show not wanting Dylan/Scotland for the next season. We didn’t get those reactions and revelations and decisions, which really made the ending fall flat.

That being said, I adore the setting here. The scene at the castle ruins? Ugh be still my heart.

Both characters also had interesting and complex backgrounds, which made sense with how they’re acting now.

I also liked the premise of a dating show crew, even if I wish we had gotten a chance to see a bit more of that than just Erin’s boss screaming at everyone.

[Parisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me forever to finish (which is saying something and maybe not a good something). Normally I finish this type of book in a few hours. But the writing was so dense (or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it). There was so much internalization--huge paragraph after huge paragraph and I skimmed over some of them because I just didn't care that much. I wanted to get to the interaction.
When there was interaction though--whoo boy! It was good. So that's why I'm uncertain about this book--it took me forever because of the descriptions, but I kept wanting to read because the chemistry between Dylan and Erin was HOT. Plus--hot, tall, Scottish guy with his own castle--what can be better than that?

Oh also. The cover kept throwing me off because it's a typical paranormal image, but the book is straight up contemporary.

[Stormy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book at least twice since my original read in 2008. I enjoy both the hero and the female interest (she's funny and lovable). The story is alright and of course, I love the reprise of the brothers from Bad Boys In Kilts.

Not my very favorite DK, but I always love her strong characters.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a full length novel, this wasn't nearly as good as her shorter ones...the heroine did a fair bit if agonizing, and wasn't particularly likeable. The author seemed to have to work a (noticeable) bit to make this a longer book.
That being said, all the better hallmarks of her other works are still here, and who's kidding who, here?? I would have liked the book fine if all I did was gaze at the cover for three days. :)

[Raina L. Akin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main focus of the book was finding love in spite of differences, the main one being too much family obligation vs none. I enjoyed all four stories in this series and would recommend reading them in order.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the next series by Donna Kauffman that I decided to read. Right now there are two books in this series which is full of hot Scot's in kilts how can that be bad. Some of the stories are a little unbelievable but that makes them every girls dream - right?

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Just ok. Just didn't seem that convincing a romance.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story sweet and entertaining. The ending felt a bit abrupt but other than that, enjoyable.

[Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern day Scottish laird, head of his clan? Yes, please. Dylan is a walking dream for many women. He is powerful, good-looking, insightful, and romantic. That is a winning combination.

Erin is interesting and fairly likable. I can not identify with her strong career loyalty and poor choices due to that commitment. However, her background explains it somewhat.

The dialogue is crisp and engaging. The supporting cast is fine, Dylan's brothers are the best, but I wanted more of them. I have not read the previous book in the series, but I will if it's available at my library.

This is my third book by Donna Kauffman, two I loved, one I hated. I will keep working through her library and hopefully she has more like The Great Scot.

[Megan Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so stinkin' cute and steamy! My only real complaint is wishing that the author had put like 2x less emphasis on how average our FMC is. I get we're trying to establish her as "not like other girls" and very down-to-earth, but it felt like Erin was being put down by our author several times over.

I enjoyed watching this romance flourish and loved the Scottish setting. :)

[Wadeana Beveridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Hot Scot!

The Great Scot does not disappoint! It is spunky, comical, serious, and lovely with two characters who do not take themselves seriously! Very nice read.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really good until the last quarter or so.
I could not understand Dylan still chasing after Erin. He offers up everything to her and she grinds him into the dirt beneath her shoes. And then he still chases her to Greece.
I'm saying it wasn't totally romantic, but it after a certain point a normal person stops reaching out to someone.

[Summeralism · Rating 2 out of 5]

Steamy and semi-entertaining.

The characters needed more time, I think, to process each other and actually build a foundation. It seems like the story kind of jumped the sheets and then started to entertain emotionally.

[JB · Rating 3 out of 5]

it is actually closer to 4 stars. I just had unanswered questions when the book was done. some really good characters and some really good plot points but feels a little disjointed and missing some of the"meat" of the story

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think I got past chapter 7 on this book, I just could not get into it. I'm not sure why because I can usually read anything!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fell in Love with the Great Scot. Very romantic. Made me feel like I was actually in the book.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. 'Nuff said. The only good book Kauffman has written, in my opinion anyways. 2/5 stars.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute story. Very cute cover!