Member Reviews
Time travel, clash of customs and the status of women bring the struggling romance between Ashley and Connell to life in Some Like it Plaid by Angela Quarles. This is the first book I have read by this author who beings a new twist to how men meet women in her version of finding wives in 2nd century Scotland. How Ashley winds up in Scotland is attention grabbing. The story as entertaining as the strong clash. It is the battle between the sexes from the moment Ashley arrives unknowing to the 2nd century.
Connell is the strong loyal, leader that his village needs. I liked him finding him more tolerant than many men would have been at that time. Ashley, while I admired her strength, appreciated the way that she jumped into village life. However, her flaws are glaringly obvious; her brashness, her lack of tact, and use of profanity. Growth in this character was exactly what was needed, which came as the story progressed. It made the romance more believable especially at the end. This is a writer that I would be interested in reading more.
4.5 Stars
Some Like it Plaid was a highly entertaining time-travel romance. The majority of the story was spent in the past and I was impressed with the author's story-telling when it came to the historical time period that the hero hailed from - 156 AD. Thankfully this story was lighter with some added humor, because the time period had the potential to be dark and scary with its warrior clans, Roman soldiers, druids, and slave raids. Let's not even touch the fact that there wasn't plumbing or hair conditioner.
The few chapters in present day moved a little slower for me, but once they were ensconced in the past, the story kept a steady and compelling pace. I loved the romantic tension between Connall and Ashley. That alone kept the pages turning, but the conflict and hardships that were indicative of the times were also a large draw. The way Ashley felt out of place and infuriated by male dominance rang very true. Although, I must say, there were times I agreed with Connall and thought that she was a bit disrespectful. Connall had his faults, as well, but I accepted them more easily due to the attitudes of the time period. Overall, I enjoyed the swoon-worthy romance and look forward to more.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book!
The characters and story drew me in from the beginning. The author did a really nice job creating interesting parameters for the time travel and resources that both Connall and Ashley do between present day San Francisco and Scotland in the past. The descriptions of Scotland and Connall's village made me feel like I was there experiencing it with Ashley as she tries to acclimate.
The story moves nicely between the growing attraction between Connall and Ashley, the decision on whether she will stay in Scotland or try to return home, and outside forces making them work together. The plot definitely kept my interest and I read it in less than a day.
I definitely recommend this book for a fun weekend read!
Some Like It Plaid by Angela Quarles a four-star read that will whisk you away. I hadn’t read this author before but had been recommended so figured I would give it a go, I did enjoy the writing, but the story just didn’t do it for me. I don’t know why, I enjoyed most of it, but it wasn’t as amazing as I had hoped, I will go back and try another story from this author but maybe not a time travel story, maybe I can find a modern tale as I did enjoy the writing.
Normally I shy away from time-travel romances because if they travel back in time I want them to stay back in time, not come back to the present. Anyway, just my opinion but I have read Angela’s books before and her stories are always quirky and non-conformist which I happen to love so I tried this book. I loved it. Ashley and Connall’s journey to an HEA was not paved in gold. Man, I thought she might hit him over the head with his chauvinistic attitude but I understand those were the times. The really great part was that they both learned a lot about each other and about the unit as a whole. A great story!
I’ll be upfront and say this book was pretty far out of my wheelhouse as it included time travel and was a historical romance with a twist and while I found it entertaining at times, for the most part I had a hard time with the concept as I kept thinking they are changing history (sorry but my love of Star Trek made me think how bad this could be). That all being said, Some Like It Plaid was amusing and clever, but at times a bit heavy and sad and while billed a romance, that part of the story felt a bit flat.
With most of the women of childbearing years being captured and taken into slavery, Connall must find a wife and soon to keep his clan alive and thriving. With the help of a druid he is sent to find his perfect match and winds up in modern day San Francisco where with help he places an ad on Craig’s List and meets Ashley, a broke divorcee just trying to pay off her ex’s debts and keep her head above water. An all expenses paid trip to Scotland sounds like heaven (even with cooking and washing clothes) until they arrive and she realizes it is second century Scotland, not modern day Scotland.
Soon Ashley realizes that her life will be much different and that any rights she had are now gone. She and Connall find a middle ground in dealing with one another and while there is attraction between them she keeps him at arm’s length and he doesn’t press the issue knowing she wishes to return to her home with the time is right.
Ashley becomes known as a Diviner which in reality she is not but because she left her world with her laptop she begins to figure out she can “ask” questions and basically has Google at her beck and call and can get some information that helps her and those around her. She clearly enjoys the people in the clan and she does offer insight on ways to help them given her vast knowledge of things that haven’t been invented yet, but because she’s a woman she is often ignored by Connall and the other men. She soon forms her own “council” where they meet and plan ways they can help if they are attacked like before she arrived.
I appreciated this story for the unique way it was written and the way both Ashley and Connall found a way to eventually compromise, but I just found it hard to get past the unbelievable plot line of her being able to access Google and that she nor Connall worried that their actions could change the course of history. Yes, I realize it is fiction but for me fiction needs to be believable to work and these points just didn’t work with me (probably the reason I don’t read historical, fantasy, or sci-fi romances).
Some Like It Plaid was a unique story, but there wasn’t enough romance and so much of the plot was not plausible that it was hard for me to truly love it.
A modern day time travel adventure. Ashley is angry at the way her life has turned out and is looking for an escape. She finds her answer when she answers an ad from Connal who is looking for a wife. When the two very different cultures and time periods crossed it is filled with hilarity and misunderstandings. It is a fanciful story that was fun to read.
I love a fall through time to find a handsome head strong guy! I also enjoy an old Scotland scenery! So win win and it was such an easy read. Just enough drama and romance to keep it flowing.
I loved Some like it Plaid. Having a weakness for strapping scotsmen, especially in a kilt, I was hooked from the very beginning. Although an unconventional manner of courtshipI wouldn’t complain. A breathtaking look at the land of the Scots and a great read to boot.
The characters each had character and wit, the plot line moved well and a littler more about the old ways was learnt in a fun manner.
Ashley Miller is tired of dodging people her ex-husband owes money to. She would love to just get away from it all. When she finds an ad on Craigslist for a job in Scotland, she jumps at the opportunity. Ashley has no idea what to expect when she shows up for the interview, but the sexy Highlander doing the hiring is an added bonus. Apparently, she makes a good impression, because next thing she knows she's packing for Scotland. Imagine her shock, when Ashley discovers she's traveled back in time to a much more primitive Scotland, oh, and the job she was applying for was the position of said sexy Highlander's wife.
Connall's people, mostly women and children, were recently taken in a raid. Women are scarce, and he's in need of a bride. His Druid priest convinces him to travel into the future to select a potential candidate. Connall immediately knows Ashley's the one. He brings her home, knowing that he maybe didn't explain things the best, but with hopes she'll warm to him and his people. It'll all work out for the best, right?
Author Angela Quarles is newer-to-me, but I have to admit I am very much enjoying her writing style. Her characters are quirky and fun. It's so nice to have humor mixed in with all the seriousness. I loved the concept of the story, SOME LIKE IT PLAID,... traveling through time for a bride. Ashley and Connall are in for some pretty big surprises, both in her time and going back to his. I just could not put this book down.
Angela Quarles gives the reader a faceted time traveling romance in Some Like it Plaid. I thought it was amazing that Quarles takes the reader to a basic Medieval era in history.
I do think you need to enjoy time-traveling genre to like this book, because with any time travel story, there will always be holes in the plot line.
What a woman is to do when instead of job offer in Scotland, she finds herself unstuck in time, estranged from everything she has always known...
Wow, since I have read Must Love Breeches, I was eagerly waiting for this new time travel romance. And the wait was worth it.
It is a so different story than the few books I have read by Mrs Angela Quarles, first the choice of a very remote place and time, then her soft feminism plea.
Ashley is feeling like she is a disappointment , her family has always made her sense as if everything she does is not right or doomed to failure. And alas, even her marriage went to ash, her trust betrayed by her ex-husband.
Now she must hide to avoid being caught in the cross-fire of those looking for her ex’s debts.
So what’s better than this weird job offer so far away she might escape her burden and be able to hold her head high again.
Connall is doing what he has to help ensure a future for his clan. He just not expected the magic of his Druid to send him far in time to find the right woman for him.
Yet, he is back home with a 21st century woman, not very pleased with the outcome of her answering to a Craiglist add.
I must confess Ashley is one hell of a woman, I have landed in a so backward place, I would have been running screaming my arms up whatever the yummy piece of highland hunk next to me.
Outside the magic side of the story, theirs is the universal one of acceptance and consideration of each one value.
Connall is a fair and kind fellow, he wants to do what is right for his tribe, finding a wife if he has too but also let her go if she feels she does not belong among his kin. He only follows the way of his father and those before him. Why even if he respects Ashley, he is not yet ready to share control with someone he feels it is his mission to protect, not the other way.
Ashley swore to never again feel helpless in a relationship, she wants a common ground where things can be discussed together. She accepts she is no match to the men’s strength but she also knows women have other values than brawn.
So when Connall appears to listen to what she has to say, she begins to wonder if going back to her time is the right decision. But not everything is what it seems, and their journey to trusting one another will not be a straight and easy one.
Outside the romance, the author did an awesome job at recreating the period and its way of life. The landscapes and the different housings become real along the words as the various peoples interactions.
5 stars for this entertaining tale about the ubiquitous quest of the right person destined to be our other half.
I was granted an advance copy through Netgalley by the publisher. Prior to it, I preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a time travel romance set in the 100bc time. I haven’t read many books from that far back but I did enjoy the read. It was funny and at times pulled at your heart strings. I was having a hard time with Connall at times he was a really jerk for a lot of the book but still was enjoyable.
Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC.
This was a DNF for me. The first chapter alone jumps so haphazardly between characters it leaves you confused about who is doing the talking and who the author is describing. I got a headache just trying to keep up with what was happening in the first scene. If that is how the book begins, then I have no intention of attempting to finish this.
Zero stars.
There is a lack of marriageable age women in Connalls tribe and being the oldest son of the chief, he agrees to let the priest send him to the future to get a wife.
Ashley is working two jobs to pay off her ex husbands debts. An advertisement in Craigslist for an all expense paid holiday in Scotland, it seems like just what the doctor ordered.
But what will happen when she realizes that she has reached 12th century Scotland and is married to the hot Scot.
I really enjoyed it reading this book, it has some great characters, a bit of intrigue, some dangerous moments, a lot of humor and hot steamy times, all things that make an entertaining read.
I am not a regular reader of time travel books, in fact this is my second time travel story, the first by Angela Quarles and after this book, I would definitely like to read more in the series.
Angela Quarles tells an interesting story of a woman who answers a Craigslist ad and ends up in 2nd century Scotland. Interestingly enough, the resources you had in your time translate back so Google searching helps her become a diviner, helping the tribe stay safe against enemies.
Taken beck in time to become the wife of the chief's son, Conall, Ashley must adjust to the male dominated culture while trying to help their women have more of a say in how things work.
Just when you think things are over, it takes a turn to a Happily Ever After.
3.5 stars!
This was a fun, lighthearted little novel!
In Angela Quarles' Some Like It Plaid, a highlander needs a wife. The problem? There are no wives to be found in his time. The solution? Travel to modern day San Francisco where he puts an ad on the list of Craig. Lots of humorous situations followed, and I gotta say, I was charmed to my toes.
Connall was so very eager in his pursuit of a wife, and the magic elements as well as the modern day and historical time periods just worked for me. How details melded the barrier between them was pretty genuis and well-done. Most of the story takes place in historic Scotland, so it kind of had that Outlander feel. (Though much more lighthearted)
Ashley is the unsuspecting woman who...misunderstands exactly what she's signed up for, but holy highlander, maybe it is the solution she is looking for as well. She has to decide if staying in Scotland is what she needs or going back to her own time. There is a small suspense plot, but for the most part, it's these two navigating different times and each other.
It was funny and cute as hell, and I had a great time reading this book. The extra spice moment at 60%? Ya'll...it's memorable, and I loved it.
Fans of rom-coms will eat this one up.
I liked the premise for this book, the time travel aspect is something I love and is rarely done. I'm not a fan of early historical settings so that probably had an impact on my rating. I loved the scenes set in present-day, but once they travelled back in time, I lost interest.
If you like early historical settings then this a book for you as for me I might give the author another chance if there are different settings.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
1 star
Could to for the life of me get into this book. I wish I would have know it was more of a time travel/historical romance. This isn't my cup of tea.
A good time travel tale is worth the time it takes to read it. I have read several of Angels Quarles time travel books and have greatly enjoyed them. Some Like it Plaid is not your run of the mill time travel offering. Druid magic is used to explain the transition between centuries. Unlike most of similar stories, Druid magic converts their stuff into the stuff of the current century, very ingenious. No having to hide or explain a modern piece in ancient times. The story itself is full of great characters, a bit of intrigue, danger, and a generous helping of humor, starting with the hero, Connell using Craigslist to find a wife. He thinks he is successful when Ashley answers his ad or is he? Ashley, a very modern woman who has trouble adjusting to the hardships and subservient position of women in the second century, in spite of her great attraction to Connall. All in all the book was a good read. My only criticism is the liberal use of profanity. At the risk of sounding prudish, I don't use such language and I certainly do not want to read it. I do not feel it adds to the story, in fact for me, it detracts from it. I have a feeling since Connall 's brother is getting ready to find his own site using Druid magic, this is the first in a new series.