4.5 stars! I ADORED this book and when it comes out on audio, I will be reading it again because I NEED to hear ALL the Scottish brogue. I’m sure that whatever I had going on in my head is not even close!
This is a sweet, slow burn romance set in the Scottish Highlands and you will be transported there! If you haven’t wanted to visit Scotland before, you definitely will after reading this (and not JUST because of the men in kilts) – the castles, the history, the Scottish coos!
The cover is what drew me in but I stayed for the banter, the characters, the sweet romance, the scenery and the hilarity in between. I was rooting for both of our MCs, Logan and Addie, and enjoyed following along as they fell in love against such a lush and beautiful landscape. The secondary characters were perfection: Logan’s family, their coworkers in Edinburgh and even some of the tour participants. You’ll crack up at Elyse’s attempts to use “American” phrases such as “gee whillikers”.
Though this is obviously a romance, other themes here include parental death and difficult familial relationships. Addie has been sent to Scotland to help a fledgling tour company (led by Logan). Her mother passed away years ago but Scotland held a special place in her heart. While Addie is there, Logan helps her find places that were special to her mother (she has several polaroids that give her clues). Addie is tasked with making the tour company more profitable but the tours are more than money-makers to Logan, his heart is in it, and he is very resistant to change. A conflict ensues as they fall in love but have different ideas in mind for the fate of the business. There is a little spice here, a few open-door scenes, but nothing too over the top.
Also, Logan calling Addie “lass” just did me in every time.
One of the best things I can say about this book is that it is now up there with some of my favorite rom-coms of all time (I’m looking at you Katherine Center and Abby Jimenez!).

I trudged my way through this book. Partially it might be my fault because 3rd person is probably my least favorite POV, but also it just seemed like nothing happened in this book. This took instalove to the highest level, and then after literally every other paragraph is "I hate him/her" and then "but he's/she's so hot omg." The prose was fine, maybe a little lacking, so overall just not great. I feel bad saying this because it's a debut, but also the author is literally a developmental editor so...make of that what you will lol?

Thank you Canary Street Press / Netgalley for the ARC!

Kilt Trip is Alexandra Kiley’s stand-alone opposites-attract romance set in Scotland.

Bostonian Addie Macrae is a successful travel consultant, jetting around the world with her suitcase, Frank. She has avoided traveling to Scotland until now, because she is still grief-stricken over the death of her beloved Scottish mother. Her boss and longtime friend assigns her to a struggling family-owned tour company in the Highlands. When she arrives without her suitcase in Edinburg, she books a tour under her mother’s name and has instant chemistry with her tour guide, Logan Sutherland.

Logan runs his family’s tour business while he waits for his father, Neil, to fully turn the reins over to him. Logan got the business in financial trouble by arranging a behind-the-scenes distillery tour that backfired. His brothers have found other careers, and he is adamant about sticking to Neil’s “experience” tours instead of visiting tourist traps. He is mad when he discovers that the beautiful blonde that he connected with is his father’s travel consultant. While everyone else in the office is helpful to her, he refuses to provide her with any information.

After a few weeks of office drama, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. He takes Addie to the places in the pictures to help her find closure and appreciate his business philosophy. Of course, the attraction between them increases, but Addie is bound to a contract and can’t have a romantic relationship with him. The reader hopes that they will find a way to stay together, but there’s some angst waiting for the happy ending.

While there was good chemistry between Addie and Logan, I had trouble relating to Addie. She was uber-professional, but she was emotionally stunted from her mom’s death 12 years prior and her father’s subsequent emotional abandonment. Her only friends were her two co-workers. On the other hand, Logan acted immaturely when he learned that Neil had hired Addie. While his resentment was understandable, he was wasting the business’ money by hindering Addie’s efforts. Kilt Trip is like a romance/travelogue/history of Scotland and makes me want to book a trip there!

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"It's not about how many places you've been but how they make you feel."

"Kilt Trip" was a romantic, scenic excursion across Scotland that I enjoyed. It did feel like it was more Logan's story than Addie and Logan's story; still good but somewhat unbalanced.

I really liked Addie's character and how good at her job as a travel consultant. You can see it in her interactions with the clients and employees she's working with. Her story-line was good if not a tad rushed. The conflict between Addie and her dad could have been explored more. His emotional neglect after her mom's death deeply affected Addie, so their practically non-existent relationship and conflict felt unresolved.

Logan's passion for sharing his country and culture with others was infectious. He's a natural storyteller and is very good at providing tourists with a worthwhile experience of and connection to Scotland. He's a family man and does whatever he can to take care of his family, especially after a past mistake he made cost his family's company greatly.

This enemies-to-lovers situation was hard to like at times. After finding out that Addie wasn't just a tourist but was hired by his father without his input, Logan became understandably upset/caught off guard but was immature in response, which was counterproductive toward the main goal: making the tour company profitable again.

Logan is adamant that nothing changes about the company and believes Addie will do away with everything that makes their particular tours special. He offers no help or solutions instead of working with Addie. I get where he's coming from but this was not the way to go. It seemed he wanted to have his cake and eat it too, assuming and unfairly expecting too much from Addie.

I liked that you get to really experience Scotland and all it has to offer alongside Addie, not just the well-known activities, places, and landmarks. The romance had a satisfying sweetness and heat. Logan was hit or miss but was still a swoon-worthy love interest sometimes. I also liked the personal tour Addie and Logan go on to find the places in the Polaroids of Addie's mom. "Kilt Trip" was a good story and kept my interest.

Thanks again Canary Street Press, HTP Books, and NetGalley for the e-arc to read in exchange for an honest review!

3.75 stars

I enjoyed the descriptions of the setting in this book, I felt like I got a little glimpse into traveling Scotland which was fun. I also liked the aspect of Addie trying to reconnect with her past through old pictures of her mom (although it felt like that plot point got pushed to the back burner until about 66% into the book). Logan was a very charming, kilt wearing, tour guide and I really enjoyed his character
Addie, on the other hand, felt very childish and immature to me. I felt like the way she treated people, especially Logan, was very unfair and her inability to communicate anything got very frustrating. Her actions towards the end of the book didn’t really make sense to me and I felt like she needed to put some more effort into dealing with her own issues before being in a relationship.

Overall a fun, Scottish themed book with lots of castles and found family. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC!!

Better than any travel advisory, Kilt Trip will not only guide you on a scenic tour of Scotland it will also give you an immersive tour into a beautiful love story. This is more than simply a boy meets girl story, it’s a coming home. Addie Macrae has learned to live on the run, avoiding connection to protect her heart. One look at the sexy tour guide in a kilt, and she is lost and who can blame her! Logan Sutherland is everything you want in a book boyfriend. He is hot, has a sexy brogue and looks amazing in a kilt! Oh and he’s also sensitive, gives a girl his complete attention and goes out of his way to make her feel safe and loved even if she doesn’t realize it. Their tale hits all of the emotions of healing, trust and risking your heart. On top of all that, this story is packed with enough history to feel as if you are walking the streets of Edinburgh, and for a girl whose biggest dream is Scotland, that alone was wonderful. If I could book a Clan Ross Heritage Tour with Heart of the Highland Tours, I would be there in a second to learn all the personal touches of my own ancestry. This story made me feel connected to that heritage in a unique way. I completely fell in love with this book. Alexandra Kiley hit all the right notes in this debut novel and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.

Kilt Trip is a fun romp through the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh. I enjoyed watching Addie & Logan's relationship unfurl. Addie is a workaholic who wants to make her boss proud & Logan is a man determined to make his mark on the family business. The snark & down right stubborn nature of both made the sparks fly. The pranks had me laughing out loud at some points. The workplace enemies will do anything to win but is it worth winning if your heart is broken? Perfect for all the readers wanting to be swept up & away with a hot, kilt wearing Scotsman who can make you laugh & also melt off your knickers.

I should probably start by saying I am a dirty-whore when it comes to a Scotsman in a kilt. Literally nothing hotter. So KILT TRIP did things to me.

I love the sparks that cone with a well-written Enemies to Lovers and this book had the sparks, the hate-banter, the chemistry. THE CHEMISTRY, bitches.

I loved every page of KILT TRIP. It had charm, snort-laughs, spice, and an undercurrent of dealing with grief and loss.

I adored Addie and her strong work ethic, her take-no-shit attitude, and her underlying vulnerability. And Logan was just a full-tilt panty-melter. The way I smoldered whenever he called Addie "lass".

And the side characters (including Logan's complicated, but warm, family) are a delight! Please tell me this is a series and one of the side characters will be finding love. I'm begging this author!

KILT TRIP was an easy 5-STAR book for me. I laughed, I sighed, I swooned, and I sweat. The spicy scenes are seriously good!

Add KILT TRIP to the top of your TBR and you can thank me later. That's an order.

𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: past death of parent
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.

Starting off, I love any book set in Scotland! (one point) I truly loved Addie wanting to travel to find the places her mom and dad had visited. Logan had such a warm, loving presence. The overall premise was great, but I don't always love a third-act breakup and to me this one seemed a bit unnecessary. Thank you so much for giving me this arc! 4/5

4.5 stars!

I looooooooooved "Kilt Trip" by Alexandra Kiley so much! THIS is how you properly handle the insta-love trope! I adored Addie and Logan... in fact, they might be one of the best couples I have read in a long, long time. They say opposites attract, and Logan and Addie are total opposites on many fronts. Their chemistry with one another is flawless, sweet, sexy, and addicting. I found their story to be well thought out and fully realized. Both of them felt like actual people as opposed to figments or tropes of real people. I loved their bickering, their teasing, and their banter. I was constantly wondering if they would get out of their own (and each other's!) way so they could be together. UGH, so good! I thought the secondary characters were fantastic as well. I loved Logan's parents. I was invested in the fraught relationships he has with his siblings. I laughed at the hijinx Logan and his coworkers go into. I also enjoyed how seamlessly Addie meshed into and with his life, work, and family. I also loved learning about all things Scotland. Kiley does a stellar job painting a lush, vivid, interesting picture of Scotland, its castles, its backgrounds, its history, and its stories and lore. It sure makes me want to take the next plane there! The best thing this book does (in addition to the love story) is explore grief in a way that feels tangible and realistic. Kiley's exploration of grief mirrors my own, in many ways, so I was able to relate on many levels. The sadness in this book is heavy, but not the heaviest I have ever read, and not so much that it detracts from the rest of the goings on here. I love how Logan was there for Addie as she worked through her feelings about her mother's passing and her father's subsequent abandonment. There is a lot of miscommunication in this story between the two of them, and I am the biggest hater of the miscommunication trope, but for some reason, I wasn't too bothered by it here. It might be that Kiley's earnest, funny, banter-filled writing made me overlook my dislike for that trope. All in all, you won't be sorry you read this lovely book! It's so, so good.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Kiley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Canary Street Press for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I didn’t know what to expect going into this but I knew the setting was Scotland so I was in. This was such a pleasant surprise. It’s heartwarming, funny, and romantic. I loved Addie. She was very relatable and I connected to her immediately. Her journey throughout the book was touching and inspiring. I really appreciated the care that went into her story.
The romance is sweet, romantic and full of swoons. The love interest is exactly what readers fall for.
The setting transported me back to Scotland. I will definitely need to visit again because this book made me fall even more in love with it.
Absolutely beautiful story that I’ll be recommending!

I absolutely, completely, wholeheartedly ADORE this book and pre-ordered it before I even finished the last page. This is such a beautiful story of navigating grief and saying goodbye to her mother, while seamlessly weaving in a perfect romantic storyline I was rabid for from the moment these two appeared on page together.
The way A. Kiley was able to blend this love story between Addie and Logan, and Addie and her mom, with the love story to Scotland, was so seamless I'm still not over it. This is a review I'm avoided writing because I have trouble putting into words how wonderful this book is. All the stars and more for this true gem!

*ARC Review*

LOVED IT! As someone who studied in Edinburgh, this book made me feel so warm and fuzzy.

The reader follows travel consultant Addie who makes her way to Edinburgh to help a family run tour company. She meets the charming Logan who is stubborn in how he wants his tours to run. They create a bond and find ways to help each other. Logan helps Addie reconnect with her family while Addie helps Logan see what his company can become. Both characters were very likable and it made their relationship sweet and one we root for.

This story has lots of adventures (which reminded me a lot of tours I went on while I visited) and some great name dropping of famous sites. The story was nicely researched and made me feel nostalgic.

Definitely Recommend. It may be my favorite Scotland rom com yet (and I have read plenty)

I was so excited to get approved for an ARC because I was sold at the meet-cute cover and the setting in Scotland, but the writing style wasn’t for me. I struggled to stay engaged with the book and the characters, though I did enjoy the setting and descriptions—it made me want to book a trip to Scotland ASAP. It truly felt like we were on a tour through Scotland throughout the story.

This book would have been a bit more engaging for me if it was set up in first-person dual POV instead of third person dual POV. I also could not connect with the characters. Addie, the FMC and travel company consultant, battled through the grief of her mother’s death and ultimately evolved throughout the process of working and trying to revive Logan, the MMC’s, family business. Addie and Logan are exact opposites and I felt they needed each other more as friends than as lovers. The novel lost a lot of the lighthearted fun due to Addie’s refusal to communicate and the strung out third act breakup that was unnecessary. Throughout the book, Logan was a bit stubborn as he hesitated with change, yet his character also remained earnest. There were a lot of really cute moments, but there were also some really difficult moments. I was expecting a Scottish rom-com, but this book had a lot more emotional depth without emotional connection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC to review.

This book was absolutely amazing. I was giggling and kicking my feet throughout the whole book. I have never been on a trip out of the country and this book made me want to get on a flight immediatelyyy.

This book was so freaking cute I don't even know if I have the words to describe it! Let's start with my favorite tropes that were featured: He falls first, banter, slow burn, Scotland, and found family. This book takes place all over the Scottish Highland and describes it beautifully! I could picture standing in all the places described vividly. The writing in this book was fabulous! It was so descriptive and made you feel like you were standing along next to the characters instead of reading about them.

Addie and Logan are two both very lovable and realistic characters. They both have some common ground with some situations that happened in the past, but are both very tenderhearted and strong. The romance between these two is so sweet and the chemistry is off the charts! Kilt Trip had some of my favorite banter between the two that had me giggling the entire time. The spice was spicy, yet tastefully done.

The way the grief surrounding Addie was written was so beautiful and you couldn't help but share in the grief and long to comfort her. Luckily, she had a kilt wearing man named Logan for that. I hope we get another book in this series as it was well written!

Kilt Trip follows Addie Macrae on her journey to Scotland for the first time and the experiences she has while there - the big one, falling in love. Addie is a consultant for tourism-related things, specifically guided tours. When Addie is asked to consult for a tour company in Scotland she is immediately apprehensive, one of her most prized possessions is pictures of her deceased mother in Scotland. Addie's mother passed away when she was a teenager and her father disconnected from her in his grief. The lead tour guide and son of the company, Logan hits things off with Addie and although they bump heads quite a bit in regards to the best ideas for the future of the company, Logan decides to help Addie find the locations where her mother's pictures were taken.

I had such a fun time with this! This was a great romance with some really strong characters. Addie is going through a journey in regards to her grief surrounding her mother and she is heavily motivated by that and the issues her father's abandonment caused. Logan is super smart and such a family man. He's super involved in running the family tour business and doesn't want things to change even when he recognizes that they probably should. I think Logan was such a great romantic interest for Addie and I loved the way they bantered. Logan and Addie have a great sense of humor and know how to lightly tease each other. I also adored the atmosphere of this. I've never been to Scotland but I loved the way Kiley incorporates the little details. This reads like a great tribute to a country and you can really see the locations that Addie and Logan visit in your mind.

This story reminds me of You With A View by Jessica Joyce. A romance that features a focus on the main character's grief but also contains some great location descriptions and just an all-over spectacular romance!

Kilt Trip is a standalone read by Alexandra Kiley, a brand new to me author whom I was looking forward to getting to know for the first time via this novel. I was looking for someone brand new, and I was pleased to find exactly what I was looking for with this read and with Alexandra.

Everyone who knows me knows that there's one book type that's dominating my reading preferences right now, and that's romances set in Scotland or that feature a leading laddie or lass. Imagine my delight when scrolling through Instagram one day when I come across this book's announcement! It was only a matter of time before we could sign up to read it and as soon as we could, I was there and waiting to see if I was approved. Luckily for me, I was! The countdown was on for the ARC to land in my inbox.

Other than the cover and title--which are both equally as eye-catching--, it was the book's blurb that sealed the deal for me to want to be in with a shot to read an advanced copy. It promised 'An enemies to lovers romance set in bonnie Scotland where one woman discovers more than the just the magic of the heartland's lochs and landscapes - but not before clashing with the proud Scotsman she's forced to work with, and that was only the tip of the iceberg. There's more where that came from. Let's lift the kilt, shall we?

Ready or Scot? Here it comes!

Addie Macrae as a globetrotter, is used to going here, there and everywhere around the world. There's no where she hasn't been. Well, there is. And she's about to be sent there on assignment to help a struggling family to run their tour company, while at the same time saving her own job. A lot is already on her plate, and she's barely got going. Packing everything away in her spare luggage, she dons her professional mask to get on down with the tasks at hand.

Logan Sutherland--true to bookish tradition--is a rugged Scot, reflecting the land and landscape around him that he loves so much. His greatest joy in life? Sharing his love for his homeland and more specifically, its hidden gems. The last thing he needs is someone, especially someone who isn't from his own country, coming in and pushing tourist traps, perpetuating myths and never leaving their desk to explore the land that they're in. Already, Addie is rubbing him up the wrong way.

But all is not as it seems. As they rub shoulders in the office, Logan discovers Addie's secret connection to bonnie Scotland. Polaroids of her late mother. He therefore, comes up with a plan. To put some peace between them, he takes her on private tours to the places seen in the Polaroids. He's hoping to offer Addie some closure while showing her the beauty of Scotland's hidden gems and the less--travelled parts of the land.

Neither of them expected while touring the land, to develop a connection and heightening of the off-the-charts sizzling attraction between them both. Especially since it's forbidden. There's only so long that they have to act on this--if, they decide to act on this--, as Addie's contact is almost up and unfortunately for her, the bills won't magically pay themselves. Neither of them can afford distractions when so much is on the line, but how can Addie do her job properly if she hasn't fully explored all that Scotland and therefore Logan, has to offer? If a job is meant to be done, it's to be done right and thoroughly.

All in all, this read did not disappoint the expectations that I had when I first saw that this was going be released. Every Scottish romance novel I read holds something unique and different about them, and Kilt Trip added to the magical mix with its own. The love for Scotland shone clearly through the storyline using Logan and Addie as its main characters, and did the country and its history justice. The story was as colourful and rich as the land its set in, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance.

Personally, I would have preferred this to be in first person--as that's the way I feel most connected to the characters when reading--but that was by far not a complaint about the story or Alexandra's writing. Everyone has their preferred reading POV, and first person is mine. At times the story did feel like it was lingering a bit in places where it could've been moved on but again, that's just my personal preference. These things aside, I'm extremely tempted to get this in physical form to I can add it to my growing Scottish paperback collection. It is shelf-worthy, after all.

Overall, I'm very, very happy with my first read from Alexandra, and I'm hoping for more from her and stories set in a place I love so much.

4 very strong stars!

I loved this trip through Scotland with Addie and Logan.

Right off the bat this is delicious! The meet cute is kicking your feet level cute. He falls first and hard in that moment, cute. And you know it’s gonna turn ugly when her identify is revealed, I ate 👏🏼 it 👏🏼 up 👏🏼

the banter in this is just, 👩🏼‍🍳💋

Fun and tension right from the start. Just what I wanted from this. While Addie is holding her heart and memories of her mom close to her chest Logan is an open book ready to let Addie in and help her find her place in Scotland.

Enemies to Lovers perfection, not simply because they dislike each other at first, but because they are perfectly poised opposing forces in so many layered ways.

Logan holds on too tightly to the past. Addie refuses to acknowledge it. But they both know what it’s like to be overlooked and forgotten by people who are supposed to be there for you. They are gonna keep coming up against each other in every way until something gives.

To their bones they are in opposition and that beautiful character depth made it so much more tender when they ~ finally ~ get vulnerable. It also created lasting tension that kept me on my toes.

I loved Logan, but it’s ‘tough as nails, but just wants to be loved’ Addie who steals the show. I just wanted to hug her and cheer her on. I love her.

Gorgeous setting, thoughtful character backstory, and a leading man who knows how to CHERISH.

A sparkler of a contemporary romance debut ✨

- the only thing I wanted more of - SPOILERS AHEAD -

the wound with her dad cut deep, and I wanted her to tell him that. I liked the ambiguity to their ending, that maybe they wouldn’t all be a happy family, but she wouldn’t stand in their way. That really touched me. But I wanted her to say her peace, scream it actually. What her dad did, and how he moved on, cut me so deeply as a reader, and I don’t feel fully healed from it with the ending we were given to that storyline.

4.5, rounding up to 5 stars. Cant wait to read more from this author!

This book is such a cozy, heartfelt, entertaining romance! Alexandra Kiley’s prose is a real standout here. Her descriptions of Scotland are so specific and lovely, but I was also pleased more generally by her phrasing/voice throughout, which is succinct and particular and inspires confidence that the reader is in solid hands. The character growth is believable and compelling. The pacing is tight without sacrificing lovely bits of Scottish lore and history. Reading this felt like the best excursion — a fun escape that also sneaks up and moves you.