A time travel romance book. Set mainly in historic Scotland. When the friends get stuck their will they both be returning home? A great short read.

I'm generally a Sariah Wilson fan and I'm going against the majority on here, but I am just not an insta love fan. And because of that, I couldn't buy into Maren and Duncan's feelings for each other. I really wanted to like it and the cover is gorgeous, but this one wasn't for me.

Time travelling Christmas story set in Scotland. Cheesy and undemanding. Lots of Scottish Christmas traditions thrown in for good measure. When it comes to time travelling in Scotland, Outlander did it better.

Ahhhh!! I absolutely LOVE Brigadoon. It's one of my all time favorite musicals and this book was one gigantic nod to the classic film. If you have never seen Brigadoon, you might think that this story is unrealistic and the insta love might drive you nuts. BUT. If you have watched Brigadoon and loved it, then you are going to LOVE this story. And also, if you haven't watched Brigadoon, you should. It's magical and wonderful and lovely.

This novella had tons of Scottish Christmas, New Year and wedding traditions. It was full of family and friends, celebrating and being together. That Duncan was swoony and had the BEST lines in the story. SAAAAWOOOON! Every time I would come across a nod to the film, I would smile because it seriously made me happy.

I loved being swept up into a magical story. It was unrealistic, just like the movie, fluffy and romantic. It felt like the perfect escape. It was nostalgic and new at the same time. I'm singing right along with Gene Kelly right now, It's Almost Like Being in Love. 🎵 I think I'll go watch the show now.

Content: kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Sariah Wilson and Montlake Publishing for ARC pf Almost like being in love. ❤

Take me to Highglen! Oh Maren, dear Ma ren. This holiday Novella sends us back in time to a magical holiday village where Maren meets Duncan and has the chance to see her long lost Uncle.

Choosing love or family was a decision for both MC and the story was well developed for how short it was. It was nice to hear how the highlanders celebrate what we now know as Christmas. Simple times of love and celebration.

If you are looking for a short festive read then this is just the 🎟!!

My mom loved musicals and we watched them all when I was young as well as listened to the soundtracks on vinyl. One of her favorites was Brigadoon and one of the famous songs from that musical is Almost Like Being in Love, just like the title of this book which is kind of a reworking of Brigadoon. In this novella, Maren and her friend Penny are traveling the Scottish Highlands looking for Maren's uncle who had disappeared years ago. It is her mother's dying wish to find him. When they get lost in a snowstorm, they are rescued by the laird of Highglen which is like Brigadoon. It will only be there for a short while and if Maren and Penny want to stay in their own time, they will have to leave Highglen before it goes back. They learn about old Scottish ways and Maren falls in love with Duncan, the laird. She is torn between going back to her dying mother or staying with Duncan. While I did really like Brigadoon back in the day, I can't say that I really loved this story. It had its moments, but I found myself losing interest. I just don't think it was for me or perhaps not the right time for me to read it. I think many readers will like it though. This was my first Sariah Wilson read. I'll probably try another book by her to get a better idea of her writing style.

My sincere thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Almost Like Being in Love and give my unbiased opinion of it.

"Love always ends in heartache. Even when you spend sixty years with someone, you'll either die or break up. But I've never met anyone who regrets loving another person with their whole heart, no matter what the outcome may be."

Almost Like Being in Love is a quick, fun Christmas novella based on the movie Brigadoon.

'Tis the season for lots of cheesiness, lots of Scottish-isms, and lots of insta-love in this book.

Overall, I enjoyed it. The setting is fun, the characters are entertaining, and the kisses are definitely swoony. I liked Maren and Duncan, and their romance is sweet and fun.

I struggled with the quick acceptance of the time traveling and some of the pedantic explanation of Scottish traditions and such. For a novella, it seemed imbalanced, with too much explaining of unimportant things and not enough moments building the characters.

This book was an entertaining read, and if you can suspend your disbelief and want to learn more about Scottish history and traditions, then I think you would enjoy this one.

Thank you to Sariah Wilson, the publisher, and NetGalley for the complimentary ecopy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wasn't a fan of this time travel romance. I've read her other books and enjoyed them but just couldn't get into this one. I almost didn't finish it. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #TheChemistryofLove

Super cute Christmas romance. I loved the concept of a traveling village and learning about the older Scottish traditions. This was the perfect length for the story and it really helped to get me into the holiday spirit. Recommended for a quick, satisfying read.

It wasn’t until I was getting ready to write this review that I saw at the bottoms of the cover it says “novella” and I was going to say I found this story a little shallow and quick but makes sense if it’s a novella. Almost Like Being in Love reminded me of Once Upon a Christmas where there’s a magical land/time that only appears around Christmas time. Two friends, Maren & Penny, are visiting the Scottish Highlands when they get stuck in a snow storm and are rescued and taken in by a group of people from the 1500s…who welcome outsiders when their magical Christmas time appears during a winter storm…yeah it’s a bit out there. But Maren falls instantly in love with Duncan and wants to marry him but can’t stay in this world because her mother is sick. Oh and also Maren finds her “lost” uncle in this world who decided to stay and marry a woman in it. If you need a quick, magical, Christmas story this one’s for you

This was such a cute Christmas read with a twist...

Sent on a trip to Scotland by her dying mother Maren is transported in time (think Outlander but Christmas time...) and I have to say I loved it! It's definitely got Insta Love vibes but because of the time travel and her realisation of how short life is due to her sick mother it totally works. I really liked the two leads in this one and would definitely recommend if you're looking for a Christmas story with a big dash of make believe.

I recently completed a literary journey set against the enchanting backdrop of Scotland. The vivid portrayal of this location and the intricately developed characters were the story's undeniable strengths, captivating me throughout.

However, I found myself grappling with the incorporation of istalove and magic realism, elements that, regrettably, don't align with my personal literary preferences. Despite my struggle with these thematic choices, the characters' journeys were compelling, and the Scottish setting provided a rich tapestry for the narrative.

While this book may not have completely won me over, those with an appreciation for istalove and magic realism might discover a more profound connection with its unique charm.

As a life-long fan of Brigadoon, I was enchanted by this book. At first I was concerned the author would merely copy the story. But her take is unique and complements the beloved musical. And although there is a bit of singing in the book, it definitively is not a musical! Ultimately the book is about the power of love. I don’t want to spoil the story but suffice it to say that even readers who have never watched Brigadoon will be mesmerized by this very romantic story. A wonderful updated take on a classic story. A++++!

Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to get into the Christmas spirit a bit early this year with a review copy of Sariah Wilson's Almost Like Being in Love. This novella was a sweet way to think about the meaning of family (born and chosen), the meaning of the holidays, the value of love and relationships, and how somethings don't need an explanation to happen or be the right choice. Sometimes life doesn't give you easy choices, but what matters is choosing what's right. I managed to laugh and cry and want to decorate for the holidays, so I count all that as a win for a book.

Highglen is the new Brigadoon and I loved this Christmas time travel romance set in the highlands of Scotland. I especially love that this book title is also the title of a song from that musical–how fun is that?

🪄Maren is such a solid character and I loved the quest she went on for her dying mother to find a long lost brother.
🪄The way Maren and her bestie, Penny, stumbled upon Duncan, a Scottish laird, and his clan in the 1600s is so surprising and sweet.
🪄The whole cast of SEVEN sisters, each so different and full of life and personality, is the icing on the cake.
🪄Swoony deliciousness manifests under the mistletoe, in closets, and in many other places and Sariah Wilson sure knows how to write those scenes!
🪄Traditions and customs are so endearing and I loved watching them mesh worlds.
🪄An impossible ending is such a perfect concoction of emotions, ideas, and heart-melting scenes.

I loved this darling little novella and its unique mashup of so many beloved things.

Content: mild+ romance (swoony kissing, make outs, light innuendo); death of parent

I’m sure there is a market for this book but it was not for me.

I had heard good things about this author so I thought a cute holiday story would be a great place to start. Unfortunately, it just was not my cup of tea. I found it so sickeningly sweet and the most insta-love-y insta-love I’ve ever encountered.

If you love Hallmark movies, insta-love is your jam & you live for a time travel/sexy historical man trope then this is for you! You’ll love it.

Thank you to NetGalley & Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sariah Wilson's romances are my kind of comfort read. I always know going in to them that I will love them. This book is probably my least favourite by her, only because I am not a big fan of magical realism and struggle to believe the storyline at times. Instant love is not a trope I tend to enjoy either and I understand with this being a novella, it was likely the easiest approach. I am still glad I read it though and I know there will be a heap of you out there who will love it more than I did.

This is one of my favorite authors because she writes fun, clean romances and this time she didn’t disappoint. I never read the description of a book before I request it, if it is written by an author I enjoy reading. When I realized that this story seems to take place in 2 separate centuries, I almost gave up on it because I don’t like fantasy-type stories. But, I soldiered on in the name of romance and ended up truly enjoying the connection between Maren and Duncan. The village of Highglen is pretty magical!

Cute Christmas novella with magical time travel, friendship and romance.

Maren and her best friend Penny get stuck in a snowstorm in the Scottish Highlands and are saved by a very attractive Scotsman, Duncan, who is from 1647. They instantly hit it off, and develop their love. Maren is forced to choose to stay with Duncan or go back to care for her sick mother.

This was a fun Christmas novella with a time twist that I truly enjoyed. I loved all of the characters, Maren and Duncan's story and how it showcased not only Maren and Duncan's relationship but the relationship with her mother, her best friend and Duncan's family.

Overall, really enjoyed this novella and was not able to put it down.

Thank you Sariah Wilson and NetGalley for my e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I am not going to lie. I started this and thought "what the heck am I reading?"

Our main female lead, Maren, is driving to the Scottish highlands with her bff, gets caught in a storm, her car dies, and she ends up in the seventeenth century.

The thing is... no one that meets them bats an eye or questions what is happening.

Once you kind of get over all of that (time loops, time travelling, missing relatives that disappeared who reappear) and just let yourself enjoy our main lady meet her soulmate and fall in love ... then the story just becomes a lovely little comfort read. Nothing serious. Nothing scandalous. It's like drinking a warm cup of cocoa with loads of marshmallows and knowing that the storm outside is going to pass and everything is going to be ok.

Maren and Duncan are adorable together. He is what Scottish Laird book boyfriends are made up of -- kind to the Clan, indulgent older brother and 100% head over heels in love with Maren. And he isn't afraid to say it or show it. He is LOVELY.

This is a sweet little story that will fill you with holiday cheer.

Totally recommended read -- UNLESS the following: if magic and time travel/ time loops aren't your thing - this really isn't the story for you. BUT if you can just set it all aside, I think you'll love Maren and Duncan and Highglen's Christmas magic.