This is a good book. The two main characters are Bonnie and Ewen. Bonnie runs a chocolate shop in the castle Ewen family owns. Ewen is now the Duke of the castle since his Dad recently passed. There is an instant attraction. They start trying to get more business for the castle. They have a wedding and a ball. They are feelings for each other. They fall in love.

The story revolves around Bonnie, who escapes an abusive relationship and plans to open a chocolate shop at a Scottish castle. However, upon arrival, she discovers the duke has passed away and his son, Ewen, is reluctant to honor their plans. Despite initial resistance, Bonnie stands her ground and eventually wins Ewen's cooperation. As they work together, their friendship blossoms into attraction, but past traumas make them hesitant. Misunderstandings and fears threaten their relationship, but they overcome obstacles and find a sweet ending.

This one was a fairly predictable romance, but some time that's just what you need in your reading. I also felt like I was in Scotland while reading this one.

Good book about two people who must overcome painful pasts before they are willing to risk their hearts again. After escaping an abusive relationship, Bonnie applied to open a chocolate shop at a Scottish castle. She formed a friendship with the Duke of Arbay as they corresponded about their plans for the shop and looked forward to her arrival at the castle. Imagine her dismay upon arriving and discovering that the duke has died and his son isn't interested in their plans.

Ewen Harris was estranged from his father and hasn't returned in many years. The last thing he wants is to be saddled with a castle with so many bad memories. Unfortunately, the terms of the will state that he can't sell the property for a year. His initial response to Bonnie's arrival was to send her on her way.

I liked seeing Bonnie have the confidence to stand up to Ewen and his reluctance to honor his father's deal with her. That got her foot in the door and a chance to make her dream come true. She has no idea that he intends his "trial period" to be the beginning and the end. I liked her confidence and enthusiasm as she got the shop up and running. Meanwhile, Ewen flounders as he tries to keep the castle business going. He is overwhelmed trying to handle the commitments already made. He never expected Bonnie to step up and walk him through the steps he needed to take.

I liked seeing Bonnie and Ewen become friends as they worked together. Underneath their growing friendship are sparks of attraction neither want to admit to. Bonnie is still recovering from her previous relationship and is wary of trusting any man. Ewen also has a failed relationship in his past that has affected his willingness to trust. But the more time they spend together, the closer they become and the stronger their attraction. Can they give in to that attraction without risking their hearts, or will they want more?

Just when I thought they might realize they belonged together, Ewen allowed his fears to push him away from Bonnie. Then Bonnie misunderstands something she sees, and instead of confronting Ewen about it, runs away. I wanted to shake them or lock them in a room until they figured things out. I liked the ending and seeing how both overcame the obstacles that kept them from moving forward. The epilogue was sweet.

This is a nice, contemporary romance that often includes a handsome Scottish duke in a kilt. Bonnie shows up at BenCrag Castle having been hired to open a new chocolate shop. She doesn’t know that the duke who hired her has passed away, and the current Duke of Arbay, handsome Ewen, has no knowledge of the arrangement.

Both main characters were likable and I cared what happened to them. The story kept my interest and I liked that they helped each other heal from past trauma.

I was disappointed that there was little sense of place. Readers would have enjoyed more physical description of the castle and surrounding area.

Still, this was a fast, enjoyable read.

Content Warning: Bonnie was a domestic violence victim and this is discussed a few times.

Highland Fling With Her Boss is an entertaining romance. Great plot and character dynamics. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

2.5⭐️

I was sipping from the kool aid at first

I liked Bonnie’s story and her trying to make a new life for herself.

But the story fell flat. It felt like the story didn’t know where it really wanted to go.

Are we a cozy chocolate shop trying to make it? Or a castle that’s getting new management…
I think by trying to do both in this story…neither got the attention that I think it deserved.

Then let’s talk about characters…
The last 5% of the book I couldn’t even deal.
I hated Bonnie.
I hate rash characters and her running off without a plan and then basically abandoning the chocolate shop is stupid.
I hate characters that just jumps to conclusion and then don’t communicate.

I wish authors realize that a strong character is someone who is emotional mature and is able to handle tough conversations…not someone who runs away due to their assumptions.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This book was interesting in the sense of the castle and the Duke storyline however in the first half of the book I had a hard time connecting with the story. As the book went on Ewen seemed to connect more and the storyline developed.

I wished I would have felt there was more of a connection between the two from the beginning.

Perfect Highland romance fix!

I love anything set in Scotland, particularly the highlands so I immediately wanted to pick this up. It’s a great close proximity, workplace romance. I enjoyed the characters dynamic and thought the grumpy x sunshine trope was done well.

Enjoyable escapism!

She’s overcoming an abusive relationship. He’s just lost his father and taken on the title of Duke. Together they fight the a path forward.