I have a read a few of Laura Trentham's books and have really enjoyed them. This one is no exception. I liked Izzy and Alastair's story along with the sub-story between Rose and Gareth. The story takes place in a quaint little town in a mountainous region of Georgia called Highland. Izzy's father started the Highland games yearly event many years ago to celebrate the town's namesake. Rose and Izzy have continued to keep it going in the years since her father's death. Things become a little complicated and a little uncomfortable (to Izzy); when Rose brings home a Highlander from her recent jaunt in Scotland. Izzy is very protective of her mother, Rose. Not that things aren't interesting enough with this little tidbit; but, add another Brit/Highlander into the mix along with a jealous hometown boy and watch what happens.

I found this tale to be well written with good character development; a nice setting and great sub-characters. The author wove a nice story with some sexy and humorous parts that balanced nicely. I liked how Alastair "got" Izzy and all her little mishaps.

All-in all a story that I would recommend and I will definitely look for more by this author and in this series.

I loved this book. Isabel is a very relatable heroine. She’s funny, smart, pretty, & sometimes clumsy. She lives in Highland, Georgia where everyone embraces the Scottish culture. She & her mom run the Highland games at their estate which her family has done for years. They have kept up the tradition on their own since her father died when she was 18. Alasdair is a perfect counter to her as the hot British Scot who’s struggling to find happiness in his life & job. He has followed his uncle Gareth (who is an Earl in Scotland) to Highland, Georgia because Alastair’s mom is afraid an American is taking advantage of him. The American in question is Isabel’s mom, Rose. She & Gareth met when she went to Scotland for research for the games. He told her he was just a groundskeeper & they fell in serious like so he followed her. Needless to say, this all adds up to a fantastic story that I think you will enjoy. Highly recommend reading this book!

I almost did not finish this book. I liked the premise, I mean who doesn't love a scottish hunk. But the story and especially the character fell flat for me. I was hoping for more depth and emotion.




I recieved this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book by Laura Trentham!

I loved Izzy and Alasdair. Laura Trentham always does a great job of making you feel like you know the characters and the story comes alive. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and experiencing the Highland Games in this story!

I loved the emotional depth of this story!

A delightful blend of Southern hospitality and rugged Highlanders, this romance gives us two love stories set in a small town that has all the charm of Stars Hollow and all the heat that is Georgia in July.

Rose and her daughter Isabel continue the annual Highland festival tradition that was started by Izzy's late father and has become a staple of the local tourist economy. Prior to the current festival, Rose returns from her own Scottish holiday accompanied by an authentic Highlander, Gareth, who is keeping his own secrets. He's followed closely by his nephew, Alasdair, who is concerned with making sure his uncle isn't being conned by his new American sweetheart.

Alasdair and Izzy each want to safeguard their own family's estates, so their mutual attraction takes quite a while to get past their trust issues. As the annual festival approaches, things start going really well, until they don't.

I enjoyed the focus on both Izzy's and Alasdair's inner conflict of duty vs. dreams, and how that affected their plans for the future - both separately, then together. While Rose and Gareth are definitely basking in the glow of insta-love, Izzy and Alasdair are much more cautious and risk-averse, making their romance more sweetly emotional and relatable.

The HEA was not a total surprise, but it was still very satisfying and leads off nicely into the next story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

A Highlander Walks Into A Bar...just wish it was one near me! This book is fun, sexy and a great summer read! If you love kilts and all things Scottish you will love this book...don't miss it!

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This tale of Isabel, the young American who is amazed when her mother returns from a trip to Scotland with a tall, handsome Scot and Alasdair, who comes chasing after his uncle is such a fun romp and a great love story. Who doesn't dream of being swept away? Here is your chance!

I am so sorry, but this was almost a DNF for me. This was just not what I was expecting, that being said not sure what I was expecting. I was not a fan of Isabel at all, but I did love all the Scottish elements through out the story.

I received a copy of this book from the author, and the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

When I started reading this book I wasn’t sure about the premise. How many mothers of adult children go on a trip to Scotland and bring home a a 6 foot something, 200 lb. Scotsman? As I got into the story, I became intrigued with the family dynamics, both of the Americans, Izzy and her mother, Rose, and the Scotsmen, Gareth and his nephew, Alasdair. Izzy is sure that Gareth has an ulterior motive for doming to America with her mother. Alasdair is determined to take his Uncle Gareth back to Scotland with him. Both Izzy and Alasdair are determined to protect their family members. The attraction and distrust between Izzy and Alasdair leads to some interesting interactions.

I enjoyed A Highlander Walks Into a Bar and recommend it to anyone who enjoys romance with a twist of humor.

Romantic comedy at it's best, this novel is one that you have difficulty putting down once you start reading. Isabel Buchanan has grown up in her beautiful, graceful mother's shadow and whilst intelligent and a good organiser, she has always felt klutzy and awkward by comparison. Thus, when her mother comes home from a fact-finding mission in the Highlands with a Scotsman in tow, it is a recipe for disaster. What's more, Isabel has serious doubts about the stranger's intentions towards her mother and their own estate in Highland, Georgia. The plot thickens when another Scotsman arrives in search of his “friend”. Alasdair has been sent on a retrieval mission to extract his uncle from the clutches of an American woman who may be a money digger but meets her suspicious, funny and beautiful daughter instead. Intending to keep his eyes open, Alasdair offers his help with the Highland festival being organised by Isabel and her mother. The plot is warmhearted and humorous, as Isabel and Alasdair find themselves in one awkward moment after the next. Through it all, their attraction for one another grows until further surprise visitors arrive and put the kibosh on the Blackmoors' presence in Highlands. The novel is well-written and keeps the reader's interest throughout. One alternatively laughs out loud and cringes at Isabel's missteps. I loved the main characters in this book, their warmth, and kindness, as well as the somewhat quirky ancillary characters. The book is a standalone and comes to a successful close. I received a copy of this novel as a gift from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I was so excited to get the opportunity to read the first story in a new series by Laura Trentham.

This story is an eclectic mix of Southern charm and Scottish pride.  This is Isabel and Alasdair story and what a fantastic story it is.

Isabel is quirky and original.  She is comfortable in the life she has led since her father passed away.  It's been her and her momma ever since.  Until, that is, her momma drops an unexpected surprise or what I like to call a souvenir from her trip to Scotland.

Alasdair is on a mission.  He is on a mission to "save" his uncle from the American tart.  He arrives to Highland, Georgia determined to get in, get his uncle and get out.  Nobody the wiser.  But when he meets the Buchanan women, he falls fast and hard for the lovely Isabel.  

There are secrets aplenty that threaten to shatter the fragile relationships that are developed. But don't fear, secrets come to light and forgiveness is a true virtue.

I absolutely fell in love with the magical town of Highland, Georgia that Ms. Trentham created.  Her vivid descriptions of the town and its people made me feel as though I was there, walking down Main Street, enveloping myself in the southern Scottish flair of the town.

You are gonna fall in love with this sweet story that has heart, heat and enough swoon to make you want the story to never end! I cannot wait for the next installment!

Isabel was just going to pick up her mother after her two week adventure to Scotland to then buckle down and get their own Highland Games planned in Georgia. She didn't know she would be picking up her mother's new Scottish beau. Nor did she suspect that his "friend" i.e. his nephew would come sweeping in to see if his uncle needed saving

EHEM, THIS IS NOT FOR CHILDREN just wanna make sure of that. There is really only one scene, but language and all that jazz.
Written by Laura Trentham, A Highlander Walks Into a Bar is a fantastic read! Not overly mushy (or disgusting), Trentham hit just the right key with this novel. I honestly could not put it down from the beginning.

This is another of those awesome beach reads, but that is part of what works so well for this novel. It is only concerned with this people and what is going on with them, and keeps you reading because of that.
I will say that, the title is a bit misleading, but as the book won't be out until the end of July, I won't spoil it just yet.
If you like a good romance, a sweet thing, and enjoy mild drama in your novels, this is a great choice. Well written, it is honestly a perfect summer read.

After reading a series of dark, suspense thrillers, this was a refreshing, fun read.
I loved that this went pretty much as expected and I could just sit back and read it without care or worry. A perfect summer read.
I will definitely need to check out the rest of the series!

Ladies, prepare yourselves. This book is going to get you all hot and bothered. Hide your credit cards, or else you'll find yourself booking a ticket to Scotland so you can find your own hunky Scotsman. Don't say I didn't warn you! A hot guy showing up in my hometown with a wicked Scottish accent and a kilt? Sign me up! Laura Trentham always bring a lot of spice and sass to her books, and this one is no exception. I loved the banter, the one-liners from the heroine, the cute manners from a British gentleman...it was all so much fun to read.

The last souvenir Isobel Buchanan expected her mom to bring back from Scotland was a man - and that's exactly what she got! With the Highland Games coming just around the corner, Isobel doesn't need the distraction of her mom's newfound romance. When the man's friend shows up looking for him, Isobel finds herself battling the angel and devil on each shoulder. The angel is telling her to focus on her late dad's legacy with the Games and keeping her mom from getting hurt. The devil wants to her to get a piece of the hunky Scotsman, no matter what. With secrets abounding in this small town of Highland, Georgia, it's going to be tricky keeping everyone sane. Let the games begin!

Alasdair Blackmoor. *sigh* I want me an Alasdair. One who is a gentleman, cares about his family, fights for those he loves...oh, and the future earldom and an estate in Scotland would be nice too. He was such a great match for Isobel!! Izzy had to shoulder so much responsibility over the years and put her own dreams on hold, and Alasdair made her wonder if maybe it was time to bring her dreams to life again. Izzy did the same for him too - Alasdair was so focused on his career that he didn't recognize that he wasn't doing something he loved. Yes, he was good at it, but his passion lied elsewhere. Izzy could hold her own with him and with so many other people in the town, and her spirit and generosity inspired me so much. She had so much light within her, just waiting to shine, and Alasdair helped her see that. Despite the secrecy and inauspicious beginning, their relationship really felt very healthy to me, and I was so glad of the happy ending.

We got a teaser of the next book in the Epilogue, and folks, this is going to be fantastic! I can't wait to continue reading this series and hearing more about some new and old characters. Mark my words - I will be in Scotland by this time next year, and it will be all Laura's fault.

A Highlander Walks into a Bar is the first story in the Highland, Georgia series by Laura Trentham. I found this story super cute and hilariously snarky. It’s a story about a woman who has sacrificed her own happiness to make sure that her family’s Scottish festival is a hit every summer. But when Isabel’s mother comes home from a trip to Scotland with a handsome Scottish stranger, Isabel is on the defensive to make sure her mother isn’t getting taken advantage of. Then an equally handsome, although younger Scottish stranger turns up in her town claiming to be a friend of Gareth’s, Isabel is torn between looking out for her mom, organizing the Highland Games (by herself!) or hanging out with the handsome Alasdair.

Isabel is quite snarky and has absolutely no filter which often gets her in trouble. She’s worried her mother is getting taken advantage of by Gareth but now that Alasdair has shown up, she’s worried there might be more of a takeover of her heritage. Alasdair believes that his uncle is being taken advantage of which is why he shows up unexpectedly in Georgia. He ends up agreeing to help Isabel with the Highland Games and ends up surprised by how much fun he has with Isabel in the process. Secrets abound in this romance.

I really enjoyed this story, I laughed out loud while reading this quite a few times. I loved the relationship between Isabel and Alasdair, and even the relationship between Isabel’s mother and Gareth was cute. If you want a cute, contemporary romance I highly recommend reading this humorous story. I kept waiting for something really bad to happen, or at least more conflict. That didn’t happen. I loved the set up to the sequel and I can’t wait to read it when it is released.

Welcome to the Highland Games in Highland, Georgia. Where there is love in the air, music, dancing, whiskey drinking and men showing off their strength. You have Rose Buchanan who met Gareth Connor in Scotland. He followed her home to help improve the games. Isabel Buchanan is leery of some strange man showing up, thinking he might try to take mom down financially. Alasdir Blckmoor was sent to Highland to check on his uncle to make sure the American is not taking advantage of him. They will have you laughing and smiling with their antics. When all is revealed, a strange friendship forms, love is declared, and forgiveness is sought. I loved the ending!

What got me interested in this book was the title. It sounded like the beginning of a bad joke. Of course, I needed to read it. I am glad I did because this was a sweet romance.

Isabel is thrown for a loop when her mother comes home from a trip to Scotland with a large Highlander. With Highland’s annual Highland Games fast approaching, Isabel doesn’t need any distractions. Then Alasdair shows up. Isabel starts to fall for Alasdair, but she doesn’t know that he has secrets. The secrets that he has could end their relationship before it takes off.

I didn’t like Isabel when she was first introduced in the book. I thought that she was immature. Then I started thinking about how she was acting. If my mother came home with a strange guy and started acting flighty, then I would have acted the same way. So, my dislike of her lessened within the first few chapters. By the middle of the book, I started to like her. Mainly after her talk with Anna and the whole girl bud conversation. I did think she overacted a little when she found out about Alasdair and Gareth. But, at the same time, I felt that her reaction was justified.

I liked Alasdair. I liked that he cared enough about Gareth to track him down. I liked that he agreed to keep Gareth’s title and wealth a secret. I liked that he was willing to apologize for things he said when he was eighteen. I liked that he was going to fight his boss when his research into Rose and Isabel’s property became public. But there were things that I didn’t like. I didn’t like that he told Isabel half-truths’ right from the beginning. He lied to Isabel about something silly. He lied about his relationship with Gareth. I understood why, but still.

Rose and Gareth were adorable. I saw hearts every time they interacted. I wouldn’t quite classify Alasdair and Isabel’s romance as cute. It was more on the steamy, sultry side.

Speaking of sex scenes, I can’t say that I even remotely giggled at one sex scene ever. But Isabel brought out the giggler in me. Stealing Alasdair’s clothing, getting bit by fire ants and then getting her band-aids stuck on his junk. I was dying.

The end of the book was terrific. I loved the confrontation that Alasdair had with George. I loved the town coming to helps Alasdair win Isabel back. But more importantly, I liked that Isabel came up with a kick-ass solution to a big problem. And the epilogue!! I loved it!! I also liked seeing who the next book was going to be about. I can’t wait to read it!!

I would give A Highlander Walks into a Bar an Adult rating. There is sex. There is mild language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread A Highlander Walks into a Bar. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

ARC for honest review with no compensation received from NetGalley. 4.5 stars

The Highlander Walks into a Bar is book 1 in the Highland, Georgia series by Laura Trentham. Great start to this new series!

Alasdair Blackmoor comes to Highland, Georgia to find his Uncle Garth, Earl of Cairndow and to make sure the American woman is not taking him across.

Isabel Buchanan gets the surprise of her life when her mother returns from her trip to Scotland with a Scotsman...

What happens next keeps your reading to find out that even though they are from different continents, have secrets, share heritage, Isabel and Alasdair may find a happily ever after they never expected...along with Rose and Gareth??

A Highlander Walks into a Bar (Highland, Georgia, #1) by Laura Trentham This is a great start to a new series...Thank you to Laura, the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. This has two main characters Isabelle (Izzy) Buchanan (lives with her mom and helps with the estate and the Highland festival) Alasdair Blackmoor (sent by his Mum to bring his uncle home) This is a double love story with lots of laughs, some tears, a couple of white lies and steamy sex ...all getting us to a very HEA... There is a mention of Iain who I am sure will be having his own book.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed Happily Ever After Funny Easy-to-read Entertaining Witty Page-turner Informative Romantic Wonderful characters Great world building Steamy

This was a great story. It had seriously laugh out loud moments. The characters were all perfect for each other. The storyline was not quite believable, however, really enjoyable. The characters all fit their descriptions in word and deed. I have to follow this author and read the next installment.

This book was gifted to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.

Isabel is getting more then she bargained for when her mother returns from her scottish vacation with a strapping giant man she fell in love with. When his nephew comes searching for him Isabel is thrown for a loop and not ready for the potential of falling for her own highlander herself. Will their love be enough to keep him there or will she follow him home.