I can't lie, when I first saw the title of this book, I almost passed it up. Whenever I see the term highlander in a romance my mind immediately assumes it's going to be historical romance, which isn't my thing. However, because Laura Trentham is an author I read often, I read the blurb before I moved along. So glad that I did!!! 

While this story isn't necessarily a compelling, heart-breaking or super sexy one, it was one that I'm glad to have picked up and would easily read again. I love a good, slow-burning, low-angst romance!

When Izzy's mom brings home a human souvenir from Scotland, Izzy immediately goes into protective daughter mode. Not only does she want to keep her mother from being taken advantage of but she isn't real keen on having to come to terms that her mom is moving on after the death of her dad. Alasdair is summoned to Georgia by his overbearing mom to stop his estranged uncle from being manipulated by the "American Tart" he left Scotland with. When they meet they are quite obviously attracted to each other but they are also both a bit cynical and leery of their elder's possible hidden agendas and their seemingly rushed romance.

Under the guise of staying to help plan the small town of Highland, Georgia's Highland Festival, Alasdair sticks around to watch over his uncle and use the time to reconnect with the man who used to be like a father to him. What he doesn't expect is the connection with Izzy and the way he starts to question what he wants in life. However, he and his uncle are keeping a few secrets from Izzy and her mom that could destroy any chance they have at love. 

I adored this small, Scot-obsessed town, the budding romance between the older couple and the easy, sweet connection between Izzy and Alasdair and look forward to what the rest of this series has in store for me.

A Highlander Walks Into a Bar by Laura Trentham is a fun tale of Scotland meets Georgia with the charm of a small southern town. Overall, the story is low angst and I enjoyed that a great deal. Highland Georgia holds a Highland Festival every year and Izzy's family organizes and hosts. Izzy's life took a dramatic turn after the death of her father-she decided to study accountancy instead of creative writing, and after graduation, she moves back home and lives with her mom. But now, her mom has brought home a Scottish hunk and his nephew is chasing after him to ensure he isn't being taken to the cleaners.

Alasdair and Izzy are alike in many ways: both lost their fathers, both are concerned about their family, both feel that their current situation in life isn't exactly what they always wanted. Izzy wants to keep her father's legacy alive and gives her all to the Highland festival. Their story is charming-with a Scottish lilt and southern sass! Woven into the tale is also the love story of Izzy's mom and Alasdair's uncle. I enjoyed seeing Alasdair and Izzy figure out what they wanted in life and how it was different from the path they found themselves on. Izzy's delightful awkwardness was endearing and she is a very likable heroine.

If you enjoy small town romance, a nod to historical Highlander games, and two people falling in love when they never expected it, then A Highlander Walks into a Bar will delight you!

Isabel Buchanan lives in Highland, Georgia which celebrates all things Scotland and she and her mother are the center of the annual Highland Festival. But this year's festival gets complicated when a couple of handsome bonafide Highlanders show up. Gareth, the older gentleman is smitten with Isabel's mother and Isabel finds it hard to resist his younger friend Alisdair Blackmoor. Isabel is suspicious of their sudden appearance and wants to protect her mother and herself from heartbreak. One of the secrets the men are keeping is that they aren't your average travelers. They are titled Scottish Earls (with a castle and everything) but they don't want the women to know because they just want to be liked for themselves.

For anyone who loves historical romances this is a fresh twist on that theme. The story occurs in present day America but it has all the themes that are usually great in historical romances such as swoon worthy men in kilts, a secret noble title and a villain out to get the hero and heroine. I really enjoyed this book and was pleased to see that this appears to be the first in a series of modern Highlander romances. I can't wait for the next one!

Isabel "Izzy" Buchanan arrives at the airport to pick up her mother Rose after a visit to Scotland and much to her surprise, a tall and very handsome souvenir in tow. Izzy is left to plan their annual Highland Games all on her own. Alasdair Blackmoor travels to Highland Georgia in search for his Uncle who has fled his responsibilities as Earl of Cairndow. Instead of saving his uncle, he helps plan the Highland games with Izzy who has captured his attention and possible his heart. With a time stamp on their time together and secrets Alasdair is hoping will not unravel, what will happen when the games are over?

This is a fun twist on Scottish culture, set right in small town USA. This book was light, fun, and a little steamy. I did feel like there could have been more added to Izzy and Alasdair's romance, something was lacking for me. But I did really enjoyed it! This would be a good novel if you are looking for not too much depth. I did like the setting of Highland GA and the concept is not one I have seen in a romance novel so far so extra point to the author for creativity! This is the first book in the series and I am curious to see who the next love interest will be for another handsome young highlander!

Three and a half stars. Once I finished the book, I found that I enjoyed it, overall. While reading the book, at times I found it slow, repetitive and just a bit of a drag. It just wasn't a book I could keep my interest in, and by the time I was quite interested in it, it ended, and the epilogue basically just frustrated me. I didn't like that it gave so much information away for the second book in the series.

Fun, sweet read. Both Izzy and Alasdair are looking out for the best interest of their loved one and then the fun ensues. Good chemistry between Izzy and Alasdair. I was drawn right into the story and the world created by this author. Will definitely look for more by this author and can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Isabel “Izzy” Buchanan is desperate to save her family’s land; the same land that hosts their town’s Highland Games every year. When her mother returns home from a visit to Scotland, she brings home a beau. Alasdair Blackmoor traveled to the States to track down his wayward uncle, and found him in a quaint town and flirting with a potential gold digger. In an attempt to observe Izzy and her family, he decides to help out with her family’s Highland Games.

Verdict: This was a light fast read that kept me laughing out loud. If you are looking for a heavy read this is not for you. However, if you are looking for an afternoon beach read – pick this one up. It will give you an afternoon of fun.

Will you choose love over duty? Izzy isn't happy that her mom has brought a man home especially now as the Highland games are around the corner. She just wants to do a great job this year but her mom is all caught up with Gareth. Rose knows that Izzy isn't happy with her choice of men but she wants to be with him and she hopes that they can all get on. Izzy doesn't know what is happening but she doesn't trust the latest Scottish man that has arrived unexpectedly and she thinks that there is more to the story. Alasdair just wants his uncle to come back home and he needs to get Gareth home soon but things aren't that simple as they are both lying to people now. He needs to figure things out without Izzy finding out the truth as he knows that she will never forgive him. Will they be able to walk away in the end from the one person that makes them happy? A great read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. It is a light-hearted, fun, romantic read. I was drawn to the book by the cover and title because I am obsessed with anything Scottish or Celtic. I have read plenty of romance books that took place in Scotland but none in America. Especially so close to my beloved Blue Ridge Mountains. I try to attend the yearly Grandfather Mountain Highland Games as much as possible, so I was excited to become immersed in a romance centered around the Highland Games. Izzy and Alasdair are well developed main characters and their witty banter was enjoyable. The only problem I had with the book was the transition from each character's point of view. There are about five areas where you are reading from one character's view and the next paragraph is totally different. I had to re-read the paragraphs because I was confused and realized it was a switch to the other character talking. There should have been a break or pause to ease into the transition. Other than a few typos and missing words (a, the, do, etc.) the book was a delight to read. I will definitely read another book from this author in the future. Hopefully it will be about the structured, no-nonsense Iain.

Last night I opened ""A Highlander Walks into a Bar" and settled down to read in a long soaking bath, one I refilled with hot water as I wasn't ready to stop reading. I was immediately drawn in by Isabel, Alasdair, Rose, Gareth and the town of Highland. Four hours later, I was left hoping for a sequel as I closed the book.

I adore losing myself in books but not often a fun romance. Truthfully, the books that have left me filled with joy are my sister's. But I felt an immediate kinship with Isabel, feeling myself engulfed with the same insecurities I suffered growing up, and adored watching her unfurl like the petals of a flower into her complete self. Find a glass of wine, or a comfortable chair and prepare yourself for a satisfying read.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to pre-read Such a fun book.

A very good small town romance!

Isabel (Izzy) Buchanan has returned to the family estate to finalize the preparations for the Highland Festival when her mom, Rose returned from vacation in Scotland. Izzy didn’t know that her mom had met Gareth Connors, the manager of Cairndow that Rose had met in Scotland and brought back for a visit. Alasdair Blackmoor was forced by his mother to check on his uncle Gareth but he told Izzy that he was an old friend visiting Gareth. Alasdair is very protective of his uncle after he helped raise him after his father’s death. Money is tight for the Buchanan’s and the money from the festival will help to pay for some needed repairs but when Alasdair has one of his employees check on their finances, that information is used by another employee to get Alasdair in trouble with the higher bosses. Alasdair decides to help Izzy with the festival and all that it entails but when Alasdair quits his job and someone is interested in buying the estate. I’m not sure that is the type of help Izzy needs.

This is the first book I have read by Laura Trentham but it definitely won’t be the last because I really like small town romances when the couple takes their time falling in love.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A laugh out loud funny story where both mother and daughter falls in love. Isabel’s mother comes back from vacation with a Scottish boyfriend. His nephew Alisdair then shows up to find out what happened to his uncle Gareth. The conversations are witty and hilarious as Isabel and Alisdair knock heads and try to get along. As they spend more time together, Isabel’s lack of filter and her penchant for accidents make for a great read. You will fall in love with these burly Scots and the people of Highland, GA.

Sandy M’s review of A Highlander Walks into a Bar (Highland Games, Book 1) by Laura Trentham
Contemporary Romance published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 30 Jul 19

This is only my second book by Ms. Trentham, and I freely admit the title drew me in. With her first book, An Indecent Invitation, which is an historical romance, I had a problem with the heroine, as referenced in my review. While Isabel – Izzy as her friends and family call her – has reason to be suspicious and doubtful in the beginning, but her attitude lasts a bit too long for me.


It’s when her mother returns from Scotland with a handsome and charming Scot in tow that Izzy’s suspicions take over. She and her mother organize their local Highland Games, which they decided to continue after the death of Izzy’s father. Their castle-like home and acreage are worth a fair bit, and Izzy doesn’t like Gareth snooping around. Then throw in the man’s nephew, Alasdair, and she’s got a double whammy on her hands, especially since she doesn’t know Alasdair is Gareth’s kin…

…Because the men don’t want the ladies to know is Gareth is a laird with riches of his own. When Alasdair shows up, their story is they’re old friends so the truth is kept hidden for the time being. I realize this comedy of errors, so to speak, is meant to lean toward comedy, but it fell a little flat for me. What I do like, though, is the time given to Gareth and Alasdair to clear the air between them, after being estranged for a few years. I like both of these characters a lot. Their charm and wit comes through quite well.

I also like Izzy and her mother. It’s just the chemistry between Alasdair and Izzy just doesn’t come up to the level to make their relationship credible. However, the growing emotions between her mom and his uncle does work much better. Izzy says what’s on her mind, but that makes her seem brash and rude. She’s in charge of getting the games up and running because her mother is so smitten with Gareth, but Alasdair has decided to stay to help her, instead of returning to his stressful financial career. There are fun scenes during the games when the local guys help Alasdair try to win it all to impress Izzy. I do, of course, warm up to Izzy at the end when she finally warms up to Alasdair.

As with my first Trentham read, this is an okay read and there’s plenty of fun to be had, but there’s also plenty of things that just don’t work for me. This is the beginning of a new series, but I’m not recalling any characters who may be next. I’m thinking Ms. Trentham’s work just isn’t for me, so I’m not sure I’ll be returning to Highland, Georgia in the future.

Grade: C

OMG, Izzy is so funny! The things she would say was just a hoot! I think I smiled through most of the book! And what a hunk the highlander was. Between them the story is a great one. Gareth and Rose were a good couple too. I thought the book was a good humorous romance well worth the time spent reading.

Loved this book! It is just the right amount of Scottish heritage set in the U.S! You get the hot, sexy highlander in Alasdair, along with his brogue. Isabel does not stand a chance once he comes looking for his uncle. A Highlander Walks into a Bar gives us two sweet romances starting out with Rose and Gareth, Isabel’s mom and Alasdair’s uncle, leading into Isabel and Alasdair’s private highland romance.

Isabel is such a strong woman who, at just the right time, opens and listens to her mom, especially when it counts. She says what is on her mind, which gets her into trouble, while making us laugh at her conversation, both internal and spoken. The sensual relationship between Isabel and Alasdair is smokin’.

This is my first Laura Trentham book and will not be my last. She pulls us into the Highland community, letting us know quickly there is going to be turmoil with all the deceit going on the both relationships and from so many angles. I was expecting a bit more angst during the climax, but I was not disappointed. Great lead in to Anna and Iain’s book!

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. A Highlander Walks Into A Bar is the first book in Laura Trentham’s new series about the small town of Highland Georgia. When Isabel Buchanan’s mother brings home a rather large souvenir from her trip to Scotland she is concerned that the man her mother seems to adore may be taking advantage and although her father has been gone for several years she’s not sure she’s ready for her mother to be romantically involved. Alasdair Blackmore has been dispatched by his mother to rescue his Uncle from the American tart he’s run off with. As Isabel works on the upcoming Highland games her attraction to Alisdair grows but with him heading back to England and her being tied to Highland Georgia a temporary fling is their only option or is it?And will the secrets he and his Uncle are keeping bring both relationships to an abrupt end?
I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to the next book in the series. Medium Steam. Publishing Date July 30, 2019. #NetGalley #AHighlanderWalksIntoABar #LauraTrentham #StMartinsPress #StMartinsPaperbacks #KiltedRomance #Bookstagram

Isabel "Izzy" Buchanan is a strong, sassy girl who still lives with her mom in Highland, GA. It's been 10 years since she lost her dad but together they still host the annual Highland Games, honoring their Scottish tradition. When Izzy's mom goes to Scotland for a vacation and some research, Izzy is completely surprised to find that her mom brought back a souvenir in the form of a tall, Scottish older man! Enter Gareth Connors. What is really strange is that for the first time since her father died, her mom actually looks happy. While Izzy is trying to wrap her head around their new house guest, she is even more surprised when another Scot shows up in the form of a tall, dark, sexy Alasdair Blackmoor, who actually lives in London.

Alasdair is in Highland at the request of his mother to track Gareth down, who is actually his uncle. Alasdair spent his youth with Gareth at the family home....it seems that Gareth is an Earl back in Scotland. When Alasdair meets Izzy he is instantly smitten. He does love a sassy woman! As Izzy and Alasdair spend more time together feelings start to develop and quickly they start up a friends with benefits type of relationship. When Alasdair decides to stay in Highland a little longer than he was expecting, things at his work start to explode. Alasdair finds himself at a crossroad between Izzy, work and his yearning for Scotland. He needs to make some big decisions in order to find his true happiness and be able to keep the woman of his dreams.

I really enjoyed Izzy and Alasdair's story. It was fun learning about things from Scotland and overall this was an enjoyable read.

3 Stars
We have a Laird pretending to be a gardener of the estate. He falls for a tourist and goes off to Georgia with her. His family is sure there are bad intentions and the nephew goes to the states to fix this.

Instead, the nephew is drawn to another there in Georgia and romance is possible for all.

I so enjoyed this story. It is so fun and has so much humor. When Alasdair goes looking for his uncle, he didn't expect to fall in love. His uncle knew right away that he had met the woman of his dreams, but it takes Alasdair a little longer. Izzy is so different than any woman he has ever known. Izzy's mother comes home from Scotland with a man and Izzy isn't too happy about it. Alasdair is prepared to protect his uncle from the scheming American woman but finds that isn't necessary. He also didn't expect the quaint Southern town of Highland. He realizes that his job isn't as important as he thought and that there are a lot more important things in life. The problem is that he and his uncle are tied to Scotland and Izzy and her mother are tied to Highland. Can they work it out?

Isabel Buchanan is up to her eyeballs in plans for the Highland Games held at her family home in Georgia. Her mother and her have been planning the same games for years when her mother ventures off to Scotland for a bit of research, rest, and relaxation only to come back with a Scottish Highlander on her arm. Now Isabel is planning the games without the assistance of her mother.
Alisdair Blackmoor has been sent to retrieve his uncle from the States. His mother is convinced that this fling is just a desperate attempt at glory. Except when he arrives in Georgia, he finds out that his uncle isn't ready to leave, and that he hasn't told Isabel's mother that he holds a title.
With all the popularity of Outlander, I was kind of excited to get this book. It's a huge fantasy for some women to be swept off their feet by a wild highlander. I really like that this doesn't take place in the Scottish Highlands. I like that a slice of the highlands has been imbued into a fictional Georgia town. Having the setting in Georgia instead of in Scotland makes the overall plot less cliche. Overall, this is a fun easy read, perfect for anyone looking to escape in the pages of a book.