Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoyed this light hearted feel good book, great characters and a great storyline.

I enjoyed A Scottish Country Escape, although part of a series this can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel.
Elle tragically lost her parents in a car crash in the Scottish Highlands and she’s now dealing with the aftermath of their death and wading through her grief and mourning the loss of her relationship with her ex Lloyd by doing what she does best – keeping busy!
She’s decided to transform their family newsagents into a stationery shop with the help of her grandmother Clara.
Her first encounter with well-known crime writer, Dexter Grayling, who has just moved into Fir Haven is when he almost runs her and another woman over in his car!
Soon after the incident he suffers a bad bout of writers’ block of the likes he’s never known and he’s determined that Elle helps him to hunt down Mrs Carlucci to lift this curse she’s put on him!
While on this strange quest to track down the elusive Mrs Carlucci the duo uncover secrets of Fir Haven’s past and Elle juggles Paper Roses and her mission to save the much-loved nature reserve from ruin.
There’s inevitably and predictably, a romance aspect and some of the dynamics are interesting and the relationship between Elle and her grandmother is heart-warming.
There’s plenty going on in the plot with humour interspersed which I enjoy.

I didn’t find it fast-paced and at times a little frustrating but I enjoyed getting to know the community of Fir Haven, Elle’s friendships and the blossoming romance with Dexter!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

A light holiday read with plenty of secrets and mystery set in a small rural town in Scotland. Somewhat predictable on several levels with a fair smattering of misunderstandings but also plenty of drama and intrigue with a good balance of subplots. At first I didn't like either of the main characters, Ella and Dexter who seemed shallow and lack substance but over the course of the book warmed to them. A well paced and pleasant enough holiday book with a good portrayal of characters, although they felt a little shallow at times.

A Scottish Country Escape, I definitely enjoyed this quirky story. The plot and all it's characters make this an enjoyable experience. I don't have a favorite character but it definitely felt like a team effort from the characters which made heart of the story warm with community spirit and forgiveness.

I really loved the setting for Fir Haven, it seemed like a great place with a whole host of wonderful characters.

Elle is trying to turn her life around after the death of her parents. When a famous author moves to town and nearly knocks a woman down with his car, everything changes... when he ends up having a curse put on him.

The story was really fun. I really enjoyed the difference between Elle and Dexter, and watching them get to know one other. Dexter really didn't come across as a very nice person to start with and I liked seeing the change in him.

Unfortunately, the story got a bit complicated towards the end and there was just too much going on. It felt quite rushed, just to get to the end.

Isn't the front cover of this book just stunning. It drew me in from the very first minute. The story inside is just as charming. I liked the main character and adored the grandmother. I liked their connection and the love between them.

I thought the cover of this book was very pretty, and I enjoyed a previous book that I read by this author, which is why I was interested in this one.

I thought this was a sweet, heart-warming book. The protagonist, Elle, was a character that I liked, and I thought her grandma was a charming character as well. In fact, I warmed to most of the characters. Sometimes I have a craving for a sweet, cosy book that provides escapism for me and takes me to another place for a little while, and this book filled that craving for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Really enjoyed the characters the setting.Well written romance a touch of mystery involving enjoyable read.#netgalley #harperukone chapter

Elle tragically loses her parents in a car crash in the Scottish Highlands. The family own a shop in Fir Haven and Elle is determined to keep the shop going in some way, shape or form. Her grandmother Clara comforts Elle as best she can and they make the decision to turn the former newsagents business into a stationary shop to be called Paper Roses. Elle’s grief is on top of a recent split from boyfriend Lloyd. Her first meeting with well known crime writer, Dexter Grayling, newly arrived to the area, is distinctly less than auspicious and shortly after this Dexter suffers writers block. Is this linked to the incident when they first meet in Fir Haven?

There are some elements I do enjoy in this latest novel from Julie Shackleton. The area is idyllic, it has a rich history, both of which understandably attracts tourists. There’s a sort of paranormal element which drives a considerable part of the storyline which is quite entertaining and you certainly learn some secrets about the dwellers in Fir Haven! I like the environmental parts of the novel too as the locals find themselves in a fight to save a nature reserve from the greedy clutches of developers and the local council. There’s inevitably and predictably, a romance aspect and some of the dynamics are interesting and the relationship between Elle and her grandmother is heartwarming. There’s plenty going on in the plot with humour interspersed which I enjoy.

However, much as the plot is busy it’s not a fast paced novel, in fact it’s a distinctly slow meander around Fir Haven and thus it doesn’t blow my socks off. It’s way too descriptive and any potential excitement gets lost in the wordiness and as a consequence I become frustrated.

Overall, it’s a nice diverting read and sometimes that’s just what’s needed.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this story, a good romance novel full of questions and mystery. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I was fortunate enough to get to read The Cottage in the Highlands by Julie Shackman via NetGalley and I was thrilled when I was offered the opportunity to read A Scottish Country Escape. This is such a fun series. These stories always have layers and messages (this one about nature), but they don't overwhelm or overtake the story. You'll get a paranormal twist in this one. I've got to get caught up with the first two books. I'm looking forward to another installment.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

This is the first Julie Shackman book that I’ve read and I must say I wasn’t disappointed. I liked all the characters and liked the fact that their backstories were explained, which in turn helped their actions in the story make sense. Elle has lost both her parents and opens up Paper Roses stationary shop in the premises of her late mum’s business. She lives with her gran who comes across as very young at heart. She meets Dexter, a famous writer who has moved into Fir Haven, when he nearly runs her and others over. There is an attraction to him that she is trying to deny but can she deny it forever? Plus is it reciprocated? The community come together to save Fir Haven nature reserve as well as dealing with curses and coming to terms with past events. Short chapters made this an easy book to dip in and out of and only took me a couple of days to read. Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first Julie Shackman novel I have read and it was quite enjoyable. I liked the setting and the characters and the first half progressed nicely but the second half felt rushed to get to a conclusion.

An unlikely combination, Dexter and Elle. Elle is preparing to reopen her shop, calling it Paper Roses, which is a lovely name fr a stationery shop. Dexter nearly knocks her over with his flashy sports car. I could have done without the emphasis on 'witchcraft', but the overall story is pleasant with one or two unexpected happenings.
Thank you for thchance to review this book. I always enjoy this author's writing.

I received a free copy of, A Scottish Country Escape, by Julie Shackman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Elle has opened her own shop Paper Roses. One day Elle and another lady almost get run over by Dexter. Dexter turns her whole life around. I did not care for Dexter at all, but I loved Elle, and her Grandma. A nice read.

A nice next to the fireplace read with a glass of wine.
Reading the book leaves you with a cosy feeling,and ghd different kinds of characters in the book such a vivid description.

Not my usual type of genre but I absolutely loved the storyline with great characters all who were happy with their life.

There were a few lol moments, such easy reading and a bit of mystery thrown in, what more can you wish for.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins OMC for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.

Dexter and Ella aren’t your typical love at first sight characters. I think their story was well written, involving other characters and the small town they live it! Loved every page.

4,5 sweet stars for A Scottish Country Escape by J. Shackman, published by Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter. ASCE is the fourth book in this series.
Elle and Dexter are not a match made in heaven. Their meet cute isn't cute at all. He nearly runs her over and she has issues of her own. Freshly single and still grieving the loss of her parents, Elle is already through a lot.
This small town, mystery romance - -it took me a minute to get into the story, but then I was intrigued and wanted to know what happens next, I just had to know.
A great read that gives all the feels.

Dexter and Elle meet after he almost runs her and one other person over. It’s certainly not love at first sight either.
Something happens to Dexter after that incident and it seems he’s lost his creative streak.
It’s a slow build of the story. There’s a few surprises along the way too. It’s an enjoyable story
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy