I enjoyed this story! I like one of change and realization and finding your path! It’s so wonderful to see characters realize their dreams (especially ones they didn’t know they had) and while its not as easy in real life, I find stories such as this inspiring and they make me think.

I loved the slow burn between Sophie and her man of interest, and how they both found something they didn’t know they needed.

As a tea drinker, it was so fun reading about all of the different tea pots and dream of being able to go into a store like this in Scotland one day!

If you’re looking for a find-your-way, slow-burn love story, consider picking this one up!!!!

Thank you to Julie Shackman, One More Chapter and Netgalley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic escapism for a Sunday afternoon. With a mystery to be solved and some will they / won’t they romance you couldn’t wish for a better light-hearted read.

Last fall, I discovered Jenny Colgan books, and ever since, I've had a thing for books set in Scotland. I haven't been since I was a child, but I vividly remember the green of the countryside and the electricity in the air. Something magical about the land creates the perfect setting for mystery and a little romance. A Scottish Highland Surprise by Julie Shackman drew me in with a cute cover and description, and I was not disappointed.

Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.

We meet Sophie Harkness at Castle Marian, an underpaid wedding planner who is underappreciated and reeling from the loss of her beloved grandmother. But just as she's had enough of bratty bridezillas, Sophie learns that her late grandmother arranged everything for her to start her own crockery business in downtown Briar Glen. Sophie has lots of questions that mostly go unanswered, but the reader sees snippets from the grandmother's perspective that build the crockery world.

As opening day approaches, a mysterious woman drops off a package and then abruptly bolts out of the shop. Inside is a gorgeous vintage tea set with an intriguing letter with clues to the origins. Sophie then encounters a handsome but aloof art critic Xander North who is willing to help her track down the history and sell the set at auction.

I loved this sweet romantic mystery; throw in a bit of love triangle and art, and this story has all the makings of a pleasant afternoon reading. A Scottish Highland Surprise would be an excellent pick for a young woman reader looking for something more challenging than a young adult but not too graphic. However, there is some mention of wine and drinking alcohol.

To say that reading this book became addictive is a huge understatement. I would stupidly pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there well over an hour and several chapters later.

Scotland. One word that would encourage me to read it. Just one and I'm already in. And when you add magnificent crockery, untold stories from the past, then we have a perfect book for any book lover. Ladies and Gentleman, A Scottish Highland Surprise.

I feel the tea on these pages, I feel the passion and love for art, I see people who are chasing their dreams and living their lives. This book is so fulfilled with emotions, small actions that can make a significant difference, and kindness to each other that I was so calm and full of joy to spend some time reading and enjoying it.

I found it perfect for spring. Why sping? Cause it was such a pleasure to have a copy and to read for the first time this year on my balcony and just being in this world, in these stories and have a chance to be a part of extraordinary, and simple at the same time, Scottish days.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher.
A very sweet and heartwarming book! The perfect cozy book for a lazy afternoon read. I really enjoyed it.

3.5 Our History Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
With all the talk today about decluttering and organizing, we have to deal with all of the feelings one can have about the legacies and history of the items we have. Grandmothers, parents, dear family friends, and more give or leave things to us, and it is all the memories or questions about them that come to mind when we are handling them.

These thoughts came to me and I think this author when this novel was created and written. It takes a woman who walks away from one career and surprisingly has another presented to her through a loved one, now gone. It is a tea shop, with all of the sets and enjoyment of fine china that becomes the way for her to find more than just the dishes.

She ends up finding herself and love, too. This goes from the 1900s, the 70s, and current times.

Losing her job as an event planner turns out to be the best thing that could have happened to Sophie. She's inherited her grandmother's tea sets and shop in Briar Glen. And then there's a mysterious tea set and Sophie along with Xander, set off to find out where it came from. While we all know Xander is going to be the romantic interest, I was more taken with Gran. This moves back and forth in time a bit to tell her story as well as Sophie's. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A light feel good read.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a lovely feel good read this was, great characters, great storyline, thoroughly enjoyed it.

This book was sweet and heartwarming. It takes a minute for the plot to be set up as our main character has to leave her job as a wedding planner to open a crockery shop. Once, they scene is set however the pace picks up.
The premise of digging into the history of the antique tea set was compelling and I enjoyed how it brought lots of different people together. I found the storyline involving Sophie, Xander and Jake to be reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, which was a fun touch.

A really great story, charming, atmospheric, great characters. Filled me with warmth and spirit. Well written and flowed nicely, was romantic and funny, charming and full of fun. A great read, i really enjoyed it.

This one will really benefit from being read early. I don't think it's something that people will know about or seek out. But it will be an easy add on/suggestion. Cute and super readable.

A Scottish Highland Surprise , the premise of the story is based on Crockery which is the first time I've read this topic in a fictional story; and I loved it.
The premise, characters, elements of intrigue and suspense make up for a pretty good read.

Thank you Harper Collins UK - One More Chapter for an advanced copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Be sure to check out this book when it’s published on April 22, 2022!

What a sweet and heartwarming book! A perfect lighthearted read. I thought the crockery shop plot line was unique and enjoyed the little bit of mystery wrapped up in the story.

The characters were very likable and endearing. I loved how strong minded and passionate the main character Sophie was and her commitment to honoring her grandma was inspiring. I definitely got some Pride and Prejudice vibes between Sophie and Xander which always makes for a fun read.

Thank you Julie Shackman for this charming book!

Julie Shackman is a new author for me, but I thought it would make a nice change to read a book set in Scotland, and the cover and blurb were appealing.

I liked Sophie a lot, she stood up for what was right. I also really liked most of the more minor characters, especially Cass. However, I didn’t really like Xander (more later).

I really enjoyed the story. I loved the plot line of Sophie being left the tea shop, and finding happiness in her work. I also loved the mystery surrounding the tea set that is dropped off at the shop. It was fun reading as Sophie and later Ophelia researched and gradually discovered the truth of what happened in the 1900s.

SPOILER IN THIS PARAGRAPH

However, I was less convinced by the love story between Sophie and Xander. Xander was grumpy and taciturn, and I don’t remember a single thing he did that would attract Sophie to him before they got together. We’re told, rather than shown, that he’s a good person.

END OF SPOILER

Overall, this was a great blend of mystery and Sophie finding what she wanted from life. The only thing that would have got that fifth star, would be a small scene showing Xander being kind or considerate, earlier in the story.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

TW: rape mentioned in passing (occurred in 1900, off page).

Wow! Julie Shackman did a heck of a job making sure all three storylines from the 1900’s, 70’s and present were all interconnected. That’s how you do it right there! I was easily transfixed on Xander and invested on Sophie’s new, unexpected career path throughout the book.

Justice was served to all the villains in the story and I just love how she wrapped it all up in a nice blue briar rose bow.
I definitely recommend this book for those that love historical fiction. Now I want to go visit the Scottish Highlands!

A huge thank you to the genius that is Julie Shackman, NetGalley, and the publishers, One More Chapter and Harper Collins.

#AScottishHighlandSurprise #JulieShackman #NetGalley #OneMoreChapter #HarperCollins

Sophie resigns from her job as a wedding planner at a Scottish castle on a point of principal, standing up to a Bridezilla. Not sure what to do next she receives an unexpected inheritance that allows her to open a shop specialising in porcelain, the love of which she shared with her grandmother.
The setting in the China shop was different, not an area that I have any expertise in but my wife would spend hours looking around. There was the usual romantic interest, enigmatic Xander, but to me the main thrust of the story was around a mystery tea set that was left at the shop by a mystery woman. It uses flashbacks to gradually develop the backstory, these are well signposted. This isn't a fast paced book, however I found that I was drawn into the story, dying to find out the origins of the tea set, so well worth putting your feet up and settling down to read it.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Thank you, Julie Shackman, for writing this! This book was a true treat that I devoured. I can’t wait to check out other books by this author.

A Scottish Highland Surprise did start of strong. I liked the pacing at the beginning.

The end was ok, I ended up skimming through it.

This was a three star rating because it did have potential.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review.

I enjoyed Shackman's Scottish surprise book but this was a little too formulaic and cutesy for me. The characters are in good, but it reads a little too much like a chick-lit bingo card. There's nothing particularly unique about it and the last chapter or two feels a bit rushed, like extra detail just had to be squeezed in. I like the backdrop of crockery, that's a different aspect, but there are too many run of the mill romantic novel plot lines in it... Death, historical scandal...even lying men.

It's a harmless read, not un-enjoyable, but not one you feel compelled to read on.