It seems like most of my friends enjoyed Getting Hot with the Scot by new-to-me author Melonie Johnson, but the story didn't gel with me at all.

It's true, contemporary romance is something that I struggle with, but I maintain that really good contemporary romance can (and does) work for me. I'm just picky about my contemp romances, that's all.

I hated the huge cast of friends that played such a big role in the beginning of the story. It was one person introduced after the other, and I couldn't keep all those characters straight. It was utterly distracting and confusing, like the author just wanted to set up the next few books in the series. I wanted to focus on the main couple, and all I got was a bunch of distracting friends who had no boundaries.

The romance felt shallow and insta-lovey, the plot dragged, and I found it to be a repetitive story that failed to catch my interest. I didn't hate it, but I had to force myself to read it, which is never a good sign. Didn't work for me.

Getting Hot with the Scot is the debut novel from author Melonie Johnson, and kicks off the Sometimes in Love series, which features 5 college friends who embark on an epic vacation, spanning 5 countries. Here we meet Cassie. She’s uptight and organized to the nth degree, but she decides to let loose during her vacation in Scotland when she comes across a sexy highlander. Logan is pretending to be a time-traveling laird of old as part of a skit for his online show when they meet. He wants her signature on a release form so he can use the clip, but Cassie is trying to move into serious journalism from the fluffier stuff she does now, so she refuses. She doesn’t turn him away from her bed, though, and she expects to have an enjoyable one-night-stand. Until Logan follows her to London, that is.

I liked the premise of this book, and it ended up being a cute read, but the heroine drove me batty for half the book. She kept jumping to conclusions and refusing to talk things out with the hero. Every time she got angry at him, she ran away. I really wanted to see her stay and fight. Logan had some issues stemming from losing his father, and I thought those were well done. I enjoyed the two of them together, but I thought they were both immature at times.

Still, while the story was somewhat predictable, I came to enjoy it in the end. I’m especially interested in reading about Cassie’s friends, so I’ll probably continue the series.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for my unbiased opinion of the book. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! It had everything you wanted in a contemporary romance novel, laugh, cry, men in kilts, lovable characters you could totally see being friends within real life, and a little Outlander type moment. lol Cassie Crow and her besties have been planning this trip for the last five years and are coming close to the last leg of the tour when she runs into Logan Reid, while trying to find the bathroom, pretending to be from another century not in not being secretly being filmed as part of prank show which she falls for hook line and sinker. She is trying to back in the US get a lucrative position at work when she gets back from her trip and this video, he wants her to sign off on could potentially shatter any chances of her career moving in the direction she is hoping for. What happens as her trip progresses and he is trying to endear himself and his friend to the women, they end up falling for each other hard. Does he get the woman, and does she find out what his ulterior motive???? You must read what happens. I couldn't put it down read it in a day!!!! I can't wait to read the rest of the series!!! Keep up the great writing Melonie!!!!

Sometimes in love #1, A quick and delightful read. Getting Hot with the Scot introduces us to a group of friends who made a pact to visit five European countries together five years after college. They are on the last leg of their journey and Cassie Crow hasn't managed to obtain one of the major souvenir she wanted, a hot fling. Cassie has been so career oriented she's never had the time for a real relationship let alone a fling. But this trip is the perfect opportunity for her first no strings affair. When in Scotland Cassie got separated from her friends and accidentally stumbled onto a honest to goodness kilt wearing, red headed highlander unfortunately he's "Logan fucking Reid". Logan Reid is the host for his internet based show Shenanigans, where he pulls off pranks and anything else he finds funny that will make people laugh. Out of the days work of pulling off the time traveling Highlander prank the best one has to be Cassie's but she refuses to sign the waiver. His show needs this skit, he needs it because and American production company wants his show but for the time slot he needs the women demographic and this skit is going to do it for him. Everytime Logan is near Cassie nothing else matters, he even follows her to London to get her to sign the waiver only to completely forget about it.

Their relationship has quite a few ups and downs but along the way they do fall in love. Typically I hate pranks but Logan is charming and good hearted you know he never sets out to hurt people just make them laugh. Cassie was the social media queen of Chicago's talk show ChiChat but on her return to Chicago after her trip she got the chance to do some series journalist work and depending on how well it works out for her she's got a new job. But when one of Logan's pranks interferes with Cassie's big interview it may be the end of them and her career.

Overall, I thought this was such a good read. I loved all the characters and it was a great introduction to all the ladies for the upcoming books. A debut novel that gets you excited for the next books in the series.Well written with romance and just enough angst to make it worth it, I can't can't wait for the next book.

As has happened to me many times in the past, I accidentally read book 2 before book 1. So, this means I knew the ending of this story before I even began. But, because of how much I enjoyed the second book, I absolutely had to read this one. And, you know what?!? Knowing what would happen did not lessen my enjoyment of this story at all…especially since the plot was creative and unique. Cassie and her friends are almost at the end of their once-in-a-lifetime vacation across Europe when she finally gets the opportunity for her dream fling. Seems easy…however, with some misunderstandings and many obstacles in their way, Cassie and Logan become more entwined in each other’s lives than they imagined. And so the drama begins…

I loved watching their feelings grow and seeing both of these characters slowly realize how much more they could become to each other. This story’s heat come from a slow simmer not a rapid boil and I really enjoyed the fact that Cassie, Logan, and I all had to work for it. The rocky road they travel definitely makes the sweet ending worth the wait. Their story is romantic and sexy and, when you add Logan’s Scottish brogue to the mix, well…sigh! I can’t end this review without a quick shout out to the secondary characters. Cassie’s friends and Logan’s sister were wonderful, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the author gives them their own stories in the future!

This is a fun, quick read that will leave you smiling and wanting to go out and find your own sexy Scot! Very quickly Melonie Johnson has become a favorite author. I can’t wait to get to the next installment in this series…and, luck for me, it’s already on my kindle!

Cassie and her friends go on a dream vacation for the summer. She never expects to have her goal come to life, but at what expense. This is a fun book that can be read in less than a day. I was cracking up for some of the scenes. It also shows that love can come when you least expect it.


** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review**

This was a cute read. The entire meeting and all the events after were just adorable. Things moved rather fast but not fast to where they were unbelievable. This a perfect poolside read. It is fun and flirty and romantic. It is an easy read and has wonderful humor that keeps the story rather light. It shows that love can show up in the most unexpected places and under the silliest circumstances.

Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson is the first in the Sometimes in Love series. The title of this book is what first caught my attention, how could I pass this one up. Fortunately, as soon as I started reading it, the story held its own and became the focal point. This was a fun, spicy (fair warning!) book that I would recommend for anyone looking to becoming quickly immersed in a charming love story, great for a long weekend, vacation, etc. This was a light, easy read and I am looking forward to reading the second book about Cassie's friend, Bonnie, and Logan's friend, Theo. I love to read series where I get a new story, but also have tidbits about the original couple that started it all.

Cassie Crow is looking for a little adventure in her European vacation. A little fling with a hot foreign guy isn't too much to ask. Yet she gets more than she bargained for when she meets Logan Reid.
Logan needs to increase ratings on his internet show and this prank could put them over the top. But Cassie is an unexpected factor in his normally easy going life. What is there really can be a happily ever after?

This is the first in the series and although it was a slow to get started and had some pacing issues it was overall a good read. You get a little backstory on each of the friends, which I'm assuming will have their individual stories in the series

After reading other reviews for this series, I have decided that it is not for me. I will not be reading or reviewing it for my blog.

I always love when romances are set in a place I dream of visiting someday, and Getting Hot with the Scot definitely fit that - the way Johnson described Scotland made me want to pack up my bags and leave right away!
This romance was so lighthearted and fun - and even though it took Cassie a while to find the right guy on her vacation, I was head over heels the moment Logan appeared.
Though the pacing was a bit off at times, I still flew through this story and was grinning as Logan and Cassie turned from one night of fun into a couple who cared so deeply for each other. Also, the Scottish words had me laughing and wanting to keep them all in a little notebook because they were just that out-of-this-world.
Definitely an author to watch out for!

This book is all about fantasy. If you ever wished for a modern Jamie from Outlander you need to read this book.

Cassie Crow is a pop-culture reporter but has bigger aspirations than her job on a television talk show. She is focused on becoming a journalist and wants to be taken more seriously. For now, she is on vacation with a few friends and they are now in Scotland. When she sees a Highlander in a kilt, Cassie immediately has a bunch of ideas as to what she'd like to do with him,

Logan Reid has a pretty interesting career that is based mainly on hijinks, but mostly on charm. He meets the delectable American, Cassie, and quickly discovers that one night of fun is hardly enough. When she returns to America after her trip, Logan finds a good excuse to follow her.

This was a cute little story. Cassie and Logan each had dreams, and a future together seemed hardly impossible. Watching them travel down this road made for enjoyable reading. Meanwhile, Cassie's friends were a hoot and no doubt will each have a role in future stories.

This debut novel by Melonie Johnson was quite an wonderful read that was remarkably well-done. I look forward to going further in this delectable series, and will soon be reading Smitten by the Brit, which will be out soon, as well as Once Upon a Bad Boy, which will be released in June.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC to be reviewed in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was so much fun! I really loved the characters and the things they go through. I loved how Cassie turned a bad situation into a positive one that helped her career. I’m so happy Logan could finally moved past the pain from his Da and wanted to be happy with Cassie! I can’t wait for Theo and Bonnie’s story! I’m so happy I read this book!

Fav Quotes!
“But sometimes it’s hard to prepare yourself when you don’t know what life is going to throw at you.” “Like a Sexy Scot popping up unexpectedly?” Bonnie asked coyly. Cassie eyed her friend across the booth, lips pursed at the low blow. “Indeed.”

85%He had another season ahead of him, which meant a reason to stay in Chicago. An excuse to stay with Cassie.
What if he didn’t get the job would Cassie be enough :(((( at this point in the story bc I don’t know what happens next

She reached down inside herself, drawing on the anger weighing her down. She sucked in air and welcomed the weight. Tied to the dock, her heart was safe. She would not venture from the shelter of that harbor.

“The pain of missing your da is well worth the joy of having loved him. Of loving him still.”

“This is why I prefer Disney movies. I mean, is it too much to expect a happy ending?”

“What I want,” Cassie said, meeting the expectant stares of her friends, “is to get my happily ever after.” She reached out and grabbed Bonnie’s hand. “I want us all to get our happily ever after.”

When he’d opened the lid on that box, it was like he’d opened her heart, her soul. Hope and dreams and love flooded her veins in a rush of emotion.


In the sliver of time between the old year and the new, Cassie leaned in closer, pressed her lips against Logan’s ear, and whispered a single, simple word. “Yes.”

“Admit it—I totally got you!” He grabbed her wrist. “Aye,” he said, and pressed her palm to his lips. “I admit it, you got me.” He kissed each finger in turn, sending quivers of delight all through her. “But not for a minute.” His mouth left her fingers and found her lips. “You got me, lass.” He kissed her, breathing the words into her. “You got me forever.”

Is there anything better than a gorgeous Scotsman in a kilt? Aside from his accent, I'd have to say no. And those are just two of the reasons why you're going to find Logan irresistible! I loved Logan. But underneath all that hotness is a beautiful heart just waiting to be unwrapped. Logan is funny, sweet, charming, and sometimes infuriating. He's not perfect (the best book boyfriends rarely are) but I couldn't find a single thing that made him irredeemable.

Cassie has to stay on her toes for most of this story. Logan can be a lot to keep up with but she's up for the challenge. She's adventurous, willing to take risks, and spontaneous. And while being in a foreign country helps heighten those qualities in her, it's Logan who makes her throw caution to the wind.

These two will take you on a whirlwind adventure spanning the globe. They laugh, they fight, they make up with all the passionate heat you can handle. And not only will you fall in love with them, you'll fall for their friends too. I can't wait to read more from this group. Melonie Johnson might be a new author to me, but this definitely won't be the last time I read her books.

This was a hoot at times and so sweet and wonderful as well. Logan is a gas. He is funny, nice, and loves his family like no other. Only issue is that because of what happened to his dad, he has closed himself off to letting people in and letting love in. So meeting Cassie and falling for her wasn’t in his plan. It snuck up on him and knocked him flat. And it was fun to watch..So how did they meet?

In a meet cute really....can’t say more it would give away the feel....and Cassie intrigues him. She also gives him the edge he needs for a job. Only she doesn’t agree...and the game is afoot...

Except the tables turn as Logan spends time with Cassie he sees her for who she is and falls in love. He sees the funny, kind and sexy girl. The loyal friend and gentle soul. The girl that works hard and loves her friends and family. As they tour London and she gets to know him and not just consider him a check on her list. They see each other beyond the superficial. How kind and giving Logan can be. How he began his video channel and why..How he ended up where he is...and we see them fall in love.

He does do something stupid and realizes it...Takes a wee bit to fix but he does..And he is in her town..So they begin again..With the sizzling chemistry and getting to know one another.Only Logan does always keep a little of himself from her..Not on purpose but out of fear..His job is going well and so is Cassie’s. Their relationship is going strong and then the coworker who is jealous gets her dig...and we have fractured relationship once more...Only Logan doesn’t know how to fix it and he is miserable...It is his mom that helps him...He finally faces his pain and past..Finally talks about it with his mom and famiy...

Cassie has her friends. The awesome group that she went on vacation with.They are a group that is tight knit and a family and they are there for one another no matter what...I loved how they were there for her but also how her mom helps her without knowing it. She helps her salvage her project and find anoter to pitch to her boss...

And when Logan faces himself and comes back it is amazing. You awww at how he opens up to Cassie and how she welcomes him with arms open. How they listen to one another and don’t talk at each other. How they work together on their relationship and are open with one another.

A great fun romance from beginning to end. We have bumps along the way and growth of characters. We see Logan face his pain and learn to open up and let someone in..and find love. We see Cassie grow at work and in love as well..And we see family be there no matter hat even when that family may be your friend family they are there. We see love shine through and face challenges head on and win..

This is steamy, entertaining, romantic and sexy. Logan is bold, cocky, cheeky, funny, determined and stubborn. Cassie is sweet, outgoing, impulsive, flirty and a romantic. While Cassie is on vacation with friends, she gets a little drunk and gets lost at Edinburgh Castle. When she asks for directions, she was direct to a hallway in front of her. As she's walking by a door, she hears a noise that sounds like moaning. Deciding to check it out, she goes into the room and finds Logan hidden behind a wall, wearing a kilt. At first she thinks that he's not real, and she wonders to herself, for one second, if he's a time traveler. But after touching him she realizes he's real, and proceeds to kiss him. When the kiss is over she finds that she's been pranked. And they want permission to post the video. She says no and walks away. He ends up following her, they end up in bed. She thinks that she finally got her vacation fling and leaves. He follows her to London, for two reasons. He needs the waiver signed, and he wants to spend more time with her. Things are hot and heavy for almost a week, he never asks for her to sign the waiver, and both start falling in love. Until the night before they're to fly back to the US and she finds the paper. She leaves without saying anything, in the end signing the waiver. He ends up in the US, apologizes, and they pick up where they left off. Until the next thing happens, then something else. They have a very rocky and intense relationship all throughout the book. I laughed, I cried and rolled my eyes. It's a must add to your TBR list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

Cassie is on a dream vacation with her close friends. Cassie meets Logan in a hilarious and original fashion. After a rocky start they hit it off and one thing leads to another. I had to say I enjoyed the first part of the book with the initial meeting of the two characters. They had an instant physical connection but I had a hard time feeling the emotional connection between the two.

As the story progressed I felt the book dragged in certain areas. Certain issues could have been avoided with simple communication between the couple. I did loved the cast of secondary characters and the sisterhood that have created. They are all different but it works.

This was my first time reading this author and it wasn’t a bad read. For the most part I did enjoy the story. The next book in the series will be about Bonnie and I’m looking forward to reading her story.

The female friendship is my favourite part of this book. I actually started all three books in the series at the same time because I was impatient but I've only managed to finish this one for now. I think the story fizzled it a bit after it got to the middle but anyway I love, love, love the characters! I'm so excited for all the girls to get their HEAs.

This is my first Melonie Johnson book. Most Scottish hero books I see are Highlander style, and I wanted a contemporary, so I grabbed myself a copy of this and here we are.

Needless to say, when I started this and Cassie is in the castle with her friends, and she stumbles upon Logan as a time traveling highlander, I balked. But then it all cleared up.

Cassie, as a journalist on the rise, is apprehensive of anything that might jeopardize her career. So when Logan asks her to sign a waiver on his little stunt intended for national broadcasting, she naturally refuses.

I do love Logan’s tenacity and determination. I think the way to his feelings for Cassie led the story was a great trick on Johnson‘s part (if that was what she intended, and if not… lucky author.) I feel that when the emotional aspect of a story is what drives a plot forward it all feels more natural.

The minor characters, Cassie’s friends and Theo, Logan’s best friend, were all fantastic in keeping things light and fun.

Not to mention Logan’s family, and that Scottish brogue. Love it!

This story is well written, fun and easy read. The Scot and his English mate both make it all more swoony. Always a good thing in my book.