Alexandra Kiley's debut romance, Kilt Trip, was so freaking cute. As I'm currently eye-ball deep in planning my own trip to Scotland this summer, it was the perfect romance to pick up this week.

Addie Macrae travels the world for her job, and this is her first time visiting Scotland. She's there to help a struggling tour company refresh their brand and update their tours, but she's also there to connect with the memory of her late mother. Her parents honeymooned in Scotland, and Addie has some photographs from that trip--so in her spare time, she tracks down the locations of the photos, in an attempt to feel close to her mom. Meanwhile, Logan--tour guide extraordinaire and handsome wearer of kilts--catches Addie's eye from their first meeting. He is opposed to any updates or changes to their tours, so professionally they butt heads at every turn, but he's just as smitten with Addie as she is with him, and during a tour of the highlands, sparks fly. But can their fiery passion survive, or will it just turn into a highland fling?

It was so much fun reading about all the locations I've been researching for my own trip. It really added a lot to the experience because I was able to picture all the places they go and "see" in my mind's eye what they were seeing.

Her debut romance--swoony, romantic and utterly charming--is a solid 5-star read, so I can't wait to see what she writes next! Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for my advance review copy.

3 Stars

If you need to reach me for the foreseeable future, I will be in Scotland.

This was a nice spring read! I really enjoyed the relationship between Addie and Logan and how their relationship progressed throughout the book. I loved the setting of the Scottish Highlands with its history and clan heritage.

I did think this book was a bit wordy and a tad long. Some chapters could have been consolidated or left out for pacing.

Overall it was a fun, charming read. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to travel, enjoys learning about new places, or simply has a love for Scotland and hairy coos. If you love Outlander, this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for sending this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒑 🏰💚

author: alexandra kiley
publication date: 3/5/24
pages: 336
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️

𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚜 ♡:

🐑 travel consultant & tour guide
🐑 rivals to lovers
🐑 forced proximity
🐑 set in scottish highlands
🐑 men in kilts
🐑 found family

𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍 ♡:

this was such a wholesome & charming debut novel following addie who is a travel consultant tasked on an assignment in scotland & a kilt wearing tour guide named logan. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

i loved addie’s journey as she deals with the loss/grief over her mother’s death 13 years prior. logan decides to accept addie’s help in revamping his tour guide company & along the way the two form an unlikely friendship that soon turns into something more. 🥰

the spice was nice but it wasn’t over the top! it felt right & natural between the two and didn’t feel forced or fake at all. addie & logan had a lot of chemistry and flirty banter that just made the book so enjoyable to read! when logan took addie to all the places that her mom talked about growing up i SWOONED!!! 📸

seriously everything about this book was done incredibly well!! and the epilogue was absolute PERFECTION!!! 🤌🏼

𝚏𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚚𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎 ♡:

જ⁀➴“𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙚’𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚.”

𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 ♡:

one of the things i truly loved about this book was learning so much about scotland and their traditions. i highly recommended if you are a fan of outlander, sheep & men in kilts this book is for you!

thank @harlequinbooks & @netgalley for allowing me to receive an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 🫶🏻

4.5 Stars !! This was such a feel good romance book ! I loved that is was set in Scotland, a perfect setting to fall in love. I am ready to travel back to Scotland asap now. This book had the right amount and romance and a little bit of spice. Addie coping with her grief about her mother's passing and tracking down where the photos of her mom were taken was very well written. I loved Logan's character and his whole family. I highly recommend this book if you love anything Scottish and romance !

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for the digital arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

Ugh, this was SO charming! It made me want to drop everything and head to Scotland for a heritage tour and find a dreamboat in a kilt. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweet, emotional, spicy romance! I loved the descriptions of Scotland; it makes me want to visit! The relationship between the main characters is a trip! I enjoyed how they came to find ways to support one another despite their differences. And the side characters are all lovely! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun read with some depth, and it's especially perfect as a travel read!

I desperately want to visit Scotland and have since I was younger. Outlander is one of my faves - I read the books as they came out (yes I'm old lol) and I adore the show - and I watched so many Hallmark Christmas movies set in Scotland 🙈 So when I heard about Kilt Trip and the chance to be part of the street team for Alexandra Kiley, I jumped at the chance! American travel company consultant travels to Scotland and meets hot tour guide in a kilt?? Sign me the eff up! 😂

I'm so happy to have been able to read an early copy of this delightful romance. I laughed, I swooned, I cried - literally every emotion ran through my body reading this book! There are some open door scenes, but they are relatively mild, what we used to call "tasteful" (even though it's not my favorite way to describe it). Logan was gaaaahhhhh just gorgeous and swoon worthy!! 😍 I absolutely loved him from jump. Addie is a strong woman, my word she is stubborn, but she's carrying so much grief with her and she's been so hurt that she has walls up for days. Logan may just be the one who can finally do that! Plus there's an amazing family, snooty sheep, adorable hairy coos, and so. Many. Kilts.

Any fan of romance needs to read this one, it's an absolute delight (even when I was crying - thanks Alexandra) and I want everyone to read it and then gush with me about it! Thanks again, Alexandra, for having me on the team!

For someone who traveled light, Addie carried a hell of a lot of baggage.

Addie's mentor has brought her and her bestfriend on the tough ride of starting a new business. Addie's been around the world as a travel consultant but never to Scotland, where her parents honeymooned. After losing her mother in her teens thirteen years ago, Addie also emotionally lost her father as he pulled away from her in his grief. This taught Addie that she needs to protect herself from love, as losing one person can cause someone to lose everything, and why her job is so ideal for her, always moving and making no lasting connections. When she's sent to Scotland to help overhaul a family run tour business, her mom is on her mind even more, as pictures of her mom at Scottish sites from her honeymoon are some of Addie's most prized possessions. Addie can't let emotional issues ruin her business strategies, though, as her mentor is counting on her to streamline this tour business quickly and efficiently to add to their new portfolio. Which makes the chemistry she's feeling with the owner's son, even more dangerous.

It wasn’t just his family conspiring against him. The universe was in on it, too.

Logan can't help but feel betrayed when his father brings in an outsider to help overhaul their tours. He once tried new ideas to revamp their tours and failed miserably, feeling like his lost his two brothers when they then left the business. He's proud of Scotland and doesn't want to lead visitors around just to the gimmicky tourist sites and wants to keep the family and friends feeling to his tours. Which makes fighting Addie's ideas even more imperative, and more complicated as he starts to develop feelings for the trying to be emotionally walled up American.

That spark she’d been trying to smother since she’d first set foot in the office was looking for any opportunity to catch.

Kilt Trip was an immensely enjoyable contemporary romance that felt cozy, emotional, delivered on the setting, and sizzled with some heat. I went to check out this author's back-list immediately after finishing this and was shocked to see this is what looks to be a debut. You all are going to want to pick this book up and then keep this author on your radar; I'd say she's in the Kate Clayborn alike circle. The first half has a pace that I don't want to give the negative connotation of slow but the pace is slower; there's some romance lit fic feeling without the lit fic language, if that makes sense. We get povs from both Addie and Logan, which I love, and the first half has a little more of Addie trying to remain walled up from her developing emotions towards Logan and feeling, thinking about her grief from losing her mother so young, missing her and how it destroyed her relationship with her father. Addie has her mentor and bestfriend but they all three travel and she doesn't have a solid landing place to rest and feel loved, she's lacking deeper connections but also fears them.

He was a dangerous combination of sensitive and challenging, and Addie was having a hell of a time feigning disinterest.

Logan was the perfect other half that she needed, he pokes at her sparking side, they have good teasing and back-and-forth but also knows when to back off a bit to allow her to regain her equilibrium and not scare her away. Logan has his own emotional issues, since his attempt to change the family business almost ruined it and his brothers left the business, he's scared of change and dealing with some abandonment issues with his brothers. I loved Logan's character but there could have been a little more flushing out of him, more conversations with his brothers would have been great and even though I liked how he realized when Addie needed a break, I kind of wanted more gritting out pressing need from him, too.

“If you think I’m delightful when I’m mad, you should see me when I’m not.” He tugged her closer, his fingers slipping below the soft black bow.
Her soft intake of breath sent fire through his veins. She stilled in his arms, wet her lips, and looked up at him through her lashes. “Then, let’s stop fighting.”

The later second half picked up the pace, enough of a not smooth change to make the overall pacing feel a bit disjointed to me, but all of the story's previous developing heat between Addie and Logan lead to, thank-you for including open-door in contemporary romance like the good old days, scenes. These two were cute, scrappy, flirty, and had delightful chemistry that I could read all day. The danger of Addie's job and her and Logan's emotional issues does eventually come to a head, they were great with addressing, talking, and trying to deal with at first when they admit to each other deeper feelings but that third act breakup is a persistent beast and a seen as a betrayal development separates the two. This was left close enough to the end that I thought the eventual HEA development didn't get enough time to give me the depth in it I wanted (here too I wished for Logan's character to have more) but there was an epilogue that jumped a year to show more to readers.

He offered her the one thing she hadn’t been brave enough to admit she wanted: belonging.

I loved how the setting was actually utilized, you'll get some facts, legends, history, and atmosphere feelings of in and around Edinburgh to transport you away and some of that delightful smile inducing back and forth chemistry and building heat tingling that delivers on the promised steaminess. The emotional was there with Addie's grief over her mother and Logan's awareness, ability, and caution to know how to care for Addie. Logan's gone for Addie pretty quickly but was wary of causing her to run away, it was nice to see the guy fall first but Addie's walls want and start to crumble pretty quickly too, so this also delivered with romance aspects. The I love yous maybe developed a little too quickly, missing more foundation there, but like the pace issues I had, ultimately not a deal breaker. If wanting to read a cute, fun, set in Scotland, romance that deals with grief but also delivers on chemistry and heat, you need to pick this one up.

STORY LOVE
❤️❤️❤️❤️

SPICE
🌶️ mild

RECOMMEND
💳 yes

In Alexandra Kiley's debut novel, Kilt Trip, travel consultant Addie Macrae embarks on a dual mission in Scotland: revamp the family-owned Heart of the Highlands tour company and explore her late mother’s cherished places. Along the way, she encounters Logan Sutherland, the company owner’s son, who challenges her tourist-oriented approach. To win the other over on the direction of the company, their alternating tours blend business with pleasure, revealing hidden gems and sparking romance. With an immersive Scottish setting, historical tidbits, and swoon worthy moments, Kilt Trip is a cute read that weaves love, loss, and self-discovery.

If you’re seeking a romance against the stunning backdrop of Scotland, this book is a bonny addition to your reading list!

Thank you for the opportunity to read Kilt Trip in advance.

There are some books that are so heartwarming, with characters so engaging, that when the world gets heavy, you'll gravitate back again and again to the book. Kilt Trip is one of those stories. While it was a romance (with a fair amount of steam), it was also fun and meaningful as we journey with Addy to make peace with the loss of her mom and finally find her home. Logan was absolutely swoon worthy as a lead and while this could have gone to a mere caricature, Logan had equal depth. Plus, who doesn't love Scotland?!? And a travel business as that backdrop was so fun element of the plot. I really loved this story and am excited to see what Kiley writes next!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press for the ARC.

“Sometimes we find a place we've never been before, but it feels like coming home."

✨ Rivals to Lovers
✨ He Falls First
✨ Cinnamon Roll MMC
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Slow Burn with Banter
✨ All the Wanderlust
⚠ Grief and Healing of Parent's Death

Addie Macrae is a travel consultant who has been hired to help a small family-run travel tour business in Scotland, the one place she has avoided due to ghosts of her past. She needs to just get in and get out of Scotland as fast as she can but Logan Sutherland, the heir to his family's business, makes it difficult at every turn for her.

This book was adorable and makes me want to go back to Scotland so fast! I went to Scotland a couple years ago and this book swept me back. It was so fun to read about places that I have visited! This book accurately captures the spirit of Scotland and the Scottish Highlands and is a must read for anyone who has been or wishes to go!

Logan Sutherland is a complete gem and such a cinnamon roll MMC. Plus, he wears a kilt and fully leans into the Scottish brogue while doing tours. He is passionate about his country and showing tourists the real Scotland, not just the major attractions. He has to convince Addie that these are the tours that people want, even if they aren't an instant money grab.

This book does hit on a heavy issue of grief over a parent's death. Addie lost her mother when she was little and is still grieving her death years later and coming to terms with her father's absenteeism reaction. By going to Scotland, she has to decide whether she wants to let the ghosts of her past consume her or connect with the country that her mother loved so much.

ilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley

If you love Scotland or are interested in it, this is the book for you. A family run Scotland tour company is struggling, and they hire an American tourism expert, Addie, to save the business. Addie is in Scotland for work, but also to connect with her Mom in though a stack of photos of Scotland. This book is rich in Scottish stories and atmosphere, there is a lot of history and landmarks, and men in kilts.

The first part of the book totally captivated me, it had so much potential. The characters had depth and it didn’t seem to be cookie cutter romcom. However, it turned out to be exactly that. Which is fine, it lived up to its cute cover. I just had a bit too high of hopes and it ended up losing me in the details and predictability. It took me several days to get through as I started to be less and less inclined to pick it up - just a bit too wordy and slow moving.

Overall this was still a lovely book, the romance was slow burn but the chemistry was spicy! I loved the setting and I’m not going to lie I did look up flights to Scotland. I’ve been before and it was probably the one place I’ve been to where I could really see myself living. Have you been?

Thanks to @canarystreetpress for my early copy! This one is out tomorrow.

BRB while I go book myself a trip to Scotland!

The atmospheric setting was absolutely stunning! I loved learning about all Scottish culture!

I never in a million years thought that I’d be into a kilt wearing man…but here we are lol

Logan is far from perfect- but I loved him SO much for all his imperfections

I really liked Addie – I loved the journey she took to reminisce about her late mother…while also finding love along the way.

I loved how much emotional depth this book had!

I also thought the roller coaster ride of emotions that played into Addie & Logan’s relationship qualms was very realistic. While their meet cute was ADORABLE not everything was sunshine and rainbows – which I really appreciated.

I didn’t realize that this book was going to have some spicy scenes.. but I was soooo here for it!!

I absolutely SWOONED over the epilogue – UGH! It was so so so cute!!

This was such a cute debut and I cannot wait to read more of Alexandra’s stories!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, And Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book gave me a huge sense of wanderlust - to Scotland especially. I honestly felt like I traveled there lol with Logan's guiding skills. I adore Logan and Addie, individually and as a couple!

Addie has been avoiding visiting Scotland given its connection to her mother who died over two decades ago. Her dad has closed her and the world off as a result of this. She has resorted to traveling as a way to avoid grieving her completely and to avoid making permanent connections with people, given her fears of her loved ones leaving her unexpectedly. She can only avoid going to Scotland for so long because her travel agency assigned her to a touring company in the country that needs help with their business. Enter Logan hot tour guide Sutherland. Logan is getting ready to inherit the business from her father but refuse to make any changes bc last time he did, he lost his brothers as partners.

I appreciate the character development between the characters. The banter and the office pranks are great comic relief! I love the vivid description on each of the place that was mentioned in the country, to where I'm literally googling each place mentioned! I honestly wanted to visit this country after learning about its culture and history! I also love the Sutherland family overall and Elyse. This is such a beautiful story of moving on and embracing grief, while still giving yourself the time and opportunity to enjoy happiness in the present and appreciate the company presented in front of us!

Thank you sooo much NetGalley for the eARC in exchange of an honest review!

4.5⭐️


Addie, a travel consultant sent to work with The Heart of the Highland tour company in Scotland. The one country she’s been avoiding for the last 10 years. She’s still grieving the loss of her mother and trying to recapture the magic of travel.
Logan, aka Logan NOT hot Scottish tour guide. A giant cinnamon roll helping to run his families tour company and weaver of stories. Desperate to keep to tradition, not let his family down, and keep everyone close.
The two couldn’t be more different. Logan with his family business and strong ties to his county. And Addie, drifting around the globe with minimal connections. But there is an immediate connection between these two. Even when they’re butting heads in the office, they know there’s a spark there.
The writing in this was so good. I felt like I was touring Scotland along with Addie. I wanted to look up tickets to Scotland in the hopes I could find a tour and tour guide like Logan. I definitely recommend this story.

Thank you to Alexandra and HTP books for the early read.

In the enchanting novel “Kilt Trip” by Alexandra Kiley, readers go on a captivating journey through the rugged Scottish Highlands. With a blend of romance, historical tidbits, and a dash of steamy fun, this debut novel is a delightful escape into a world where kilts swirl and hearts collide.

Meet Addie Macrae. She’s an American travel consultant who has explored more than 70 countries, but none holds as much significance as her latest destination: Scotland. Her mission is twofold: revamp the family-owned Heart of the Highlands tour company and, perhaps more importantly, come to terms with her late mother's memory. The Scottish landscape becomes a canvas for Addie's emotional journey, as she grapples with grief and seeks solace in the land her mother loved.

Meet Logan Sutherland. He’s a kilt-wearing Scotsman with a killer brogue. Logan is the company owner's son, and he's staunchly opposed to Addie's "gimmicky" ideas for the tours. He believes in creating magical, authentic experiences rather than catering to social media trends. Their clash of perspectives sets the stage for a battle of wills: one that soon blurs the line between business and pleasure.

As Addie and Logan take turns attending each other's proposed tours, they discover hidden gems across the Highlands. Logan reveals the soul-stirring places her mother once visited, and Addie finds herself drawn to him despite her determination to keep emotions at bay. The chemistry between them sizzles, and Logan's swoon-worthy looks and irresistible accent leap off the page.

“Kilt Trip” deftly weaves together themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Kiley masterfully portrays Addie's internal conflict, the tug-of-war between her head and heart, as she grapples with grief and navigates her growing feelings for Logan. His patience and compassion provide a soothing balm for Addie's wounded soul.

The Scottish setting is more than mere backdrop; it's a character in its own right. Kiley's vivid descriptions transport readers to mist-shrouded glens, ancient castles, and windswept cliffs. Whether it's the haunting beauty of Loch Ness or the cozy warmth of a Highland pub, the landscape comes alive, enveloping readers in its magic.

Kilt Trip celebrates the power of nature to heal and rejuvenate. As Addie hikes through heather-covered hills and listens to the whisper of the wind, she begins to unravel the knots of grief that bind her. The Highlands become a mirror for her own journey: a place where memories intertwine with hope, and where love blooms unexpectedly.

The pacing is brisk, with just the right balance of heartache and humour. Kiley's prose flows effortlessly, capturing the essence of Scotland's rugged allure. And yes, there are many, many kilts! Bonus? Each one contains a tantalizing promise of passion and adventure.

This is a stellar debut that will sweep readers off their feet, while it transports them to a land where tartans flutter and love knows no bounds. Kiley's enchanting storytelling invites us to believe in second chances, both in love and in life. So grab your favourite blanket, brew a cup of tea, and lose yourself in a magic land where romance awaits around every misty corner.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Canary Street Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m not sure I enjoyed the journey of this book as much as I wished I would.

Addie frustrated me a lot during this book, also her company. But I jut couldn’t get my head around people coming into a company completely changing it and leaving. I know it might work for some companies but take the actually company opinion to heart. And going behind the backs of the company you are trying to help. Absolutely not

The romance was really cute. I absolutely adore Logan. He was so sweet and kind. Also pretty understanding! And sounded delightful in his kilt. Also so happy he got all of his dreams. He deserves it! ! I am also happy that Addie got off her high horse, and started treating herself better. She was super hard on herself

All in all, it is a quick enemies to lover, with forced proximity which definitely had its moments. Thank you NetGalley, Alexandra Kiley and the publisher for the arc

I had such a fun time with this story. I loved that there were bits of Scottish history embedded throughout the book and I think the author did a great job helping the reader visualize the settings. I felt the characters had a great depth to them and loved getting to watch their experiences with character growth and soul searching throughout the book. Only complaint is that the book did feel a bit slow at times.

Read if you enjoy:
-Scotland Setting
-Slow-Burn
-Rivals to Lovers
-He falls first

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so stinking cute, and it had me wanting to jump on a plane to Scotland. I’d first like to thank Netgalley for the ARC of Kilt Trap. Kilt Trap is a rivals to lovers romance that follows Addie, a travel consultant who has a hard time letting people in, and Logan, a grumpy tour guide who is very resistant to change. There is great banter between Addie and Logan and lots of tension! But once the tension breaks, the romance heats up! Addie’s journey of self-discovery was very well written and I loved the resolution for her character. The epilogue had me absolutely giddy. This was just such a cute story, it was what I needed today! Kilt Trap is an adult romance, 18+ for sexual content

Kilt Trap by Alexandra Kiley is an intriguing & absolutely immersive banter-filled romance between a Scottish Highlands tour guide & the travel consultant hired to save their struggling family business. I was fascinated & enthralled with the setup of this novel thanks to the magical setting of Scotland as well as learning more about the history of the country & the aspects of the tourism business.

The acknowledgements say this is a love letter to Scotland & you can totally tell. As someone that’s always wanted to visit, this was like taking a mini vacation there.

Kilt Trap is great for fans of
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Romance Abroad
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Banter
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Forced Proximity

I love when romance books have a pair that starts as rivals & with this couple’s polar opposite & competing ideas, this book delivers on this! The chemistry of the pair created the perfect space for the rapid conversations & banter that took place between them that was just scrumptious. I really enjoyed the authors writing style & the beautiful way they showcased the gorgeous landscape of a setting. It was a delight having a hero that uses endearments like lass. If they could do an audiobook that had the hero’s lines said with a Scottish accent, that would be such a treat.

For some reason, I think thanks to the visiting heroine in another country aspect, it was giving me reminders of The Holiday, which is one of my all time favorite movies. I cannot wait to see what this author does next.

If you’re looking to escape to Scotland & fall in love, I highly recommend checking out The Kilt Trap!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Canary Street Press for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

I also plan to post to my social & add links once I do.