I really enjoyed the setting of this book, a quaint Georgia mountain town steeped in Scottish tradition seems idyllic, and indeed they refer to it as such in the book. I didn't love the characters as much, their insecurities were overpowering and at war with how they were otherwise written. Also the parts that were supposed to add drama to the story, such as interactions with the main antagonist, were really flat and so easily and quickly resolved that I don't even know why the author bothered to include them. Not a bad read but it wouldn't be my first choice.

I really enjoyed the first book in the Highland Georgia series, A Highlander Walks Into a Bar, and have been keeping and eye out for this second book. This one was similar to the first and I loved learning more about Anna and watching her character grow with Iain. Definitely worth a read.

I so loved this book! The characters are great with personality that befits a normal person. The story line was interesting and kept me wanting to read more. I’ll be checking out any mire books in this series.

The books in the series all have a common theme. A dedication and stubbornness to putting together the Highland Festival each year. The characters might change in each book but other than that they are pretty much the same. I would like to have seen something different for each book.

A Highlander in a Pickup Truck by Laura Trentham was so much fun.

I loved the first book in the Highland, Georgia series when I read it earlier this year (A Highlander Walks Into a Bar) and was so excited when I saw the second one was coming out. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free e-ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

The first book focuses on Isabel Buchanan, but in the second installment, the focus switches to Anna Maitland, a longtime resident of Highland, GA, and Izzy’s best friend. She has taken over the planning for the Highland Festival since Izzy is in Scotland, about to have her baby.

Izzy and Alastair, worried that Anna is taking on too much, send Iain all the way from Scotland to Georgia to help Anna out--the only problem is that Anna doesn’t think she needs any.

Distrustful of men since her dad left when she was ten, her romantic history leaves a lot to be desired, and she prides herself on her independence and ability to handle whatever life throws at her on her own. She runs a successful dance studio, is juggling the festival details just fine, thank you very much, and is even planning on running for major. She’s got this.

Except maybe she doesn’t.

When Iain shows up, sparks fly. Iain is everything Anna isn’t--strong, dark, borderline-broody. And when he just assumes he’s in charge of the festival, Anna gets her genteel southern knickers in a twist. Too bad she can’t stop thinking about HIS knickers...or the lack thereof...under those super-sexy kilts.

This being a romance, you can figure out where this is headed. But what I genuinely loved about the story is that once Anna finally accepts Iain’s help, she discovers that his support doesn’t make her feel weak; it makes her feel stronger than ever.

Their romance isn’t without its hiccups, but in the end, their happily ever after hit me right in the feels.

I adored Anna’s character in the first book, and I love that she got to shine in A Highlander in a Pickup Truck. Be sure to pick up a copy of this fun, quick gem of a read when it comes out February 25, 2020.

3.5 stars

I liked this book even more than the 1st.

As Izzy and Alasdair (From A Highlander Walks into a Bar) await the birth of their first child in Scotland, her mother and his uncle Gareth have left Highland, Georgia to help out during Izzy’s mandatory bedrest. Their departure means someone has to step in to set up and run Highland’s Scottish Festival. Izzy’s friend Anna volunteers to help.

Anna Maitland is the owner of a dance studio who has aspirations of running for mayor. Therefore, she has a lot riding on the town’s premier festival being a success. Alasdair sends his friend and estate manger’s son, Iain Connors, to help Anna. At first, Anna won’t or can’t delegate anything beyond animal caretaking to Iain. But circumstances develop that leave Anna no choice but to allow Iain to help. Initial physical attraction (the guy can rock a kilt!) expands into emotional attachment.

Both Anna and Iain are at a tipping point in their lives. Anna wants to become more invested in her community by serving as mayor and bring new ideas and changes to Highland. Since she has lived in Highland all her life, older residents still see her as a child and her mother’s daughter. Iain’s father assumes he will take over the running of the estate back in Scotland when he retires. After a military stint, Iain is restless with this idea and is seeking something else of his own to use his skills and talents. I really liked Iain. He seemed a gentle giant, a little awkward and very earnest. The soul of a poet with the body of a warrior. A great hero for a romance book.

Laura Trentham consistently creates small town life with great supporting characters. She does this well here and in her Cottonbloom series.

The epilogue is a teaser chapter about forlorn farmer Holt. Looking forward to reading his well-deserved HEA.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC

An insecure, hard working American lass needs to work with a HAWT Scot.
Ana Maitland runs a dance studio,plans to run for mayor and is drafted by her best friend Isabel to take over the Highland games at Stonehaven in Highland, Georgia. Isabel, newly married is experiencing a difficult pregnancy and is stuck in Scotland with her husband. Her mother and stepdad flew over to be there for her, leaving Anna in charge...so she thinks.
Gareth and Izzy send Iain to help, neglecting to inform Anna. A series of misunderstandings ensue.
The pair try to work together while fighting an impossible attraction. A laugh out loud funny and sweet romantic tale about two good people with insecurities. They battle their problems, each other and ultimately giving in to their feelings. Someone has to move for them to be together, and give up their job. True love can conquer many things.
I requested a NetGalley ARC to peruse when I saw this second book in the Highland Georgia series having enjoyed the first so much. If you like kilted Scots and sweetly Alpha males this one will satisfy.

Another win for Trentham’s Highlanders series. Anna has the strict discipline that only a life in ballet can give you and Iain has a life discipline from a tough upbringing and military. But when these two allow their true inner feelings to show, they realize they are more alike in so many ways. After a natural attraction, yet hitting it off in the wrong way, Anna and Iain fall for each other but there’s just one problem – Iain must return to Scotland and his life there and Anna must stay in Highland, Georgia. Can they make this work? I did read the first book in the series and so was familiar with the characters already, this book picks up where that left off but with the focus on the secondary characters from the first novel. I don’t feel one needs to have read the first book, A Highlander Walks into a Bar, but it would greatly help to understand a few things. I really enjoyed this book, even if it took a while for the two main characters to actually ‘get there’ in their relationship. There was a lot of back and forth but it contributed to the characters. The way Laura Trentham writes brings things to life. I can totally picture this town, the people, the events in it – she writes with such realistic words. The reader will not be disappointed in this easy and fun read. I cannot wait for book three and Holt’s story to emerge! My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Ms. Trentham for an ARC of this book.

Having enjoyed the first book, I reluctantly have to admit this book wasn’t nearly as good. In fact, I’m tempted to label it as a filler book meant just to keep the series going. You see, this main couple just wasn’t that particularly noteworthy. Maybe it was because I’m not a fan of a sugary sweet, insecure, “woo is me/no one understands me/mama didn’t love me enough” stubborn to the point she can be her own worst enemy so at times came across childish, even selfish on occasion heroine. Yeah, that's a mouthful, huh.

As far as the handsome hero, he seemed like a patient, all around good guy but mostly we get the idea he looked verra, verra good in a kilt. Why do I think that you ask? Well, because we were told about a million times. Oh, and he was good with his hands, a real Mr. Fixer/jack of all trades, plus on the awkward/easily embarrassed side, as well.

A word to the wise though. If you want me to pick up a contemporary highlander romantic read and stay fully engaged, I need more, folks. This panned out to be an okay, but rather average, not that memorable/exciting read for me. Here’s to hoping others really enjoy it as much as I liked the first book.

Title: Highlander in a Pick Up, Series: A HIghland, Georgia Novel (Book 2), Author: Laura Trentham, Pages: 320, stand-alone but part of a series, patient/good guy hero, not a manho, both been celibate awhile, gorgeous but feels awkward, bashful at times hero, sugary sweet, small town dance instructor heroine. Rating: 3 - 3.5 stars

Book 1 - A Highlander Walks Into a Bar
Book 2 - Highlander in a Pick Up

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend this book to everyone. Can't wat to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

This is the second in the series, as well as the second I've read. Highland is an adorable small town, and with it, comes all of those small town rivalries and feelings. In this story, we meet Anna again, the best friend in the last story, and Iain, the caretaker's son from Cairndow. Even though Isabel isn't in Highland, the Games will still go on, with Anna in charge with a little surprise help from Iain.
They each have their own baggage, and although they have some explosive chemistry, neither is really willing at first due to their issues. I liked getting to know these two as they got to know each other, and though the story wasn't terribly long, it was truly fun and satisfying. This is definitely one I will reread, and I look forward to seeing Holt's story next.

What a hoot! Iain is sent from Scotland to help feisty Anna with the highland festival. Naturally she doesn't want his help, and conflict arises. Really enjoyed this one and had trouble putting it down. I read the previous one in the series, but to be honest it could stand alone. The only thing that got a little tiresome is the lack of confidence in both of them. Didn't see a need for as much time was devoted to them both on this issue. Besides that, a fun read and one I highly recommend. Looking forward to the next in the series.

I fell in love with Highland in the first book in the series, and was so excited to get my hands on the next installment! I think I loved this one even more than the first.

Anna lives on her own, runs her own successful dance studio, and is preparing to run for mayor - and above all, she wants to prove to everyone that she is successful and independent. So she relishes the opportunity to prove herself by taking over the planning of the annual Highland festival, even if she is in over her head. Then Iain shows up, sent by Alasdair and Izzy, to assist Anna, whether she wants it or not. Anna is outgoing, graceful, and well established in her community - Iain is reserved, towering, and looking for a place where he belongs.

Despite getting off on the wrong foot, sparks soon begin to fly between the two. But it's more than just sparks as they come to know each other and truly care about each other. I love that when Anna finally accepts his support, instead of fighting it off and being independent, she realizes that his support doesn't make her feel weaker, but rather boosts her and makes her feel stronger. I love that Anna and Iain complement each other in the best way.

This is a delightful continuation in the Highland series - it brings back all our favorite characters, introduces some new ones, and is set in the same Highland town - but Laura Trentham manages to make it feel like a story all it's own, and not simply a repetition of the first book. I have high hopes for the next one as well and already can't wait for it to come out!

Huge thanks to NetGally and St. Martin's Press for an advanced digital copy of this book; all opinions are my own.

This was a fun addition to the Highland, GA series. Anna has taken over the running of the Highlander Festival now that her best friend, Isabel, and her mother, Rose, are in Scotland awaiting the birth of her Isabel’s first child. Isabel is worried that responsibility for the dance studio and running for mayor in addition to running the festival night be too much for Anna, so she and her husband send a good friend from Scotland to help her.

Iain agrees to go to the states to help Anna with the festival. However, he discovers after arriving, that Anna isn’t very happy to have him there. Despite the rough start with Anna, Iain quickly finds that his handyman skills are in great demand in Highland. He also begins to feel at home in a way that he didn’t back in Scotland. Eventually, he and Anna make peace and she allows him to help more with the festival. They also begin to act on feelings that they have developed. However, misunderstandings develop as they both realize that his time in Highland is meant to be temporary. Can two people who live on different continents find happiness together?

Anna, a Highland, Georgia native, is taking over the planning and execution of the annual Scottish Highland festival for Rose and Isabel this year as Isabel is in Scotland, with the birth of her baby imminent. To help Anna out, Isabel and Alsdair send the groundskeeper's son Iain to Georgia. Initially, Anna is reluctant to allow Iain to help as she views the festival's success as a precursor to her run for mayor. But, as Anna and Iain are thrust into more proximity, a heated spark emerges....

With another Highlander coming to Georgia, I was worried that Anna and Iain's story would be a copycat of Isabel and Alsdair's, but it's not-- and neither is resolution of the final hurdle.

On the chaste to steamy scale, it's a solid 5: only slightly more inappropriate than a PG-13 movie would allow.