A book with hate to love, a Scottish hero in a manor with some spicy secrets… sign me up. “Keep Me” is a steamy, emotional and healing romance that has me wanting more from this series.

Killian Barclay wants one thing… to be left alone in his manor and for his family to stay away. He wants his infamous parties to continue but his family wants it to end. Sylvie Devereaux is a New Yorker who is often left on her own and forgotten by her parents who are too wrapped up in their own art world. But she ends up sneaking into the manor when on vacation with her current boyfriend, seeing the brute of a highlander was the last thing she was expecting. And weeks later, his sister comes to her with a proposition. Marry Killian for one year, turn his playboy reputation around and walk away with ten million dollars. Seems easy enough but not everything is as it seems.

I was so excited for this book when it was announced and I wasn’t disappointed. A grumpy Scottish hero with all the spice Sara Cate is known for. I loved how this book was set up into parts and each part was either from Killian or Sylvie’s POV. Sylvie goes through a lot in this book with her parents and how unsupportive they are of her to her finding her way back to writing. She’s smart, fiery and passionate and that shines throughout the book. Killian has a broken soul after losing his parents in an accident and shutting down is the only way he knows how to deal with it. My heart broke for him as we learned about his past and what demons he was dealing with. These two were a true hate to love couple and the banter and insults they threw at each other had me cracking up. Despite the front they put on, you could feel the chemistry and connection they had for each other. And when they finally give into the attraction, it was great. The growth these two do emotionally had me cheering them on as they worked through their personal issues so they could be a real couple. The ending for them was perfect and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

This book was really fun. Even though they could sometimes be really unhinged, I really loved Sylvie and Killian as a couple. This book is definitely very spicy but it didn't bother me. I saw the third act conflict coming from a mile away, but it was fitting and made sense. I don't know if this story will stick with me, but it was super enjoyable and I'd recommend it. I will definitely read the next one in this series.

I wish I had seen the content warnings before I read this book. It is more erotica than romance. There were several chapters where I was skimming . Not for me!

I was looking forward to this one a lot. Sadly it did not deliver. Where to start?
The characters were incredibly unlikeable for the most part. Sylvie was a selfish, uncaring FMC, who suddenly realized she loved Killian, basically out of nowhere. Killian was so bad, like technically not redeemable. If it wasn‘t for…. the huge time jumps between scenes, where these characters started caring for one another, OFF PAGE. It feels elementary to give a mutli-published author the advice of „show don‘t tell“ but it was really necessary here.
(Wasn’t this advertised as having kink? Did I miss that??)
I also have a problem with the character names. It seems like the author set this up to play in Ireland, and thus gave everyone Irish names (Killian, Declan, Liam, Lachlan), only to then re-locate the book to Scotland, but not change the names. If there was one name, it would be fine, but essentially everyone? Kind of unbelievable.

That was overly negative, there were some nice parts. Sadly they did not convince me. Won‘t be recommending this.

Ce livre ne sort que le 3 décembre mais j'ai eu l'opportunité de le lire en avance et comment vous dire que j'ai adoré!

Sylvie Devereaux est en voyage en Ecosse et elle va rentrer par effraction au Barclay Manor. Elle se fait malheureusement attrapée par le propriétaire des lieux : Killian. Celui-ci lui fiche la trouille de sa vie et elle va repartir vivre sa vie new yorkaise... Quelques semaines après, la famille de Killian lui propose un marché : épouser Killian, vivre avec lui pendant un an et un gros chèque arrivera... Alors arrivera-t-elle à tenir un an avec cet homme?

Sara Cate est une de ces autrices dont je lis automatiquement chaque livre. Autant dire que quand j'ai vu qu'elle allait sortir un livre qui se déroulait en Ecosse, j'étais plus qu'impatiente! J'ai adoré cette histoire qui est terriblement addictive et très bien menée du début à la fin! J'ai adoré les personnages, leur évolution et même leur combat! La tension entre eux est juste parfaite! Maintenant, j'ai hâte d'avoir le second tome de cette série!

Keep Me may not follow Sara Cate’s typical story style, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! There’s a lot to find enjoyment in, especially with the grumpy Scottish MMC’s and a strong-willed FMC that may (or may not) enjoy letting go of control very once in a while. There are fewer of them than her other books, but the steamy scenes are still quintessential Sara Cate.
The premise is full of some favorite tropes: a wealthy, reclusive Scottish man hasn't left his family manor in years, which he has turned into a personal sex club, and his family decides to intervene to force him out of the house with a bride (apparently once married for a year, she will have the deed to the house and be able to give it to the family).
Sylvia, the selected bride, agrees to this contract because she will receive $10million at the end. However, this is where the plot has a few holes that are harder to buy into.
Her reason for agreeing to this is clear, but his reason for agreeing feels a bit weak—he thinks marriage will get his family off his back, but somehow doesn’t realize the family trust rule about the deed. It was hard to believe he wouldn’t look into this before marrying a stranger, something he does knowing it will end in a year but doesn’t question why.
Additionally, his reluctance to leave the house due to trauma doesn’t fully align with the timeline; his parents died 20 years ago, and he goes go onto attend college, sport events, and traveling. Yet 8 years ago he stops leaving the house due to the trauma off their death. The math didn’t quite add up here.
All of that aside, I wouldn’t dismiss Keep Me. If you can look past these few sticky details and enjoy the story for what it is - a spicy romance about two people working through their trauma and family issues, ultimately growing both individually and together. There’s real chemistry and a depth to the characters’ journeys that makes it worth the read.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this and tore through it so quickly. It felt a little different from Sara Cate's indie books but not in a bad way, maybe just a little bit tamer. I loved Killian and Sylvie, and their story felt a little Beauty and the Beast-ish which was fun. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment but I actually really liked the third act break up, it was emotional and I had a lump in my throat the whole time.

Not me looking at flights to Scotland to find my own Killian 🫠

Killian and Silvie story had me on a choke hold from the first page. I could feel the tension coming off the pages.in the beginning I knew that this book was have alot of character growth, based on how the two MC were behaving in the beginning, familiar with how Sara writes I knew the character development and growth was going to be blow my mind. I was not disappointed. No spoilers but I definitely recommend to just read Keep Me, I am already very invested in this series and waiting for the next one.

Thank you Sara SourceBook Casablanca for the honor of reading

THIS TALE WAS A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE, TOTALLY NOT WHAT I EXPECTED FROM A SARA CATE BOOK— IT WAS SURPRISINGLY TAMED! IT DANCES AROUND THE CLASSIC DISLIKE-TO-LOVERS TROPE, WHERE BOTH OUR LEADING LADY AND GENTLEMAN START OFF BEING A BIT OF A HANOFUL ANO NOT IN A CUTE WAY.
SYLVIE'S LIFE IS A WHIRLWINO OF CHAOS; HER ARTSY PARENTS HAVE CHOSTED HER, A GRUMPY SCOTSMAN WRECKED HER PHONE AFTER AN ACCIDENTAL HOME INVASION, ANO HER LONG-TERM BOYFRIEND DECIDED TO PLAY KISSY-FACE WITH HER BESTIE. SO WHEN THAT SURLY SCOTSMAN'S SISTER WALTZES INTO NYC WITH A JAW-DROPPING OFFER OF 10 MILLION BUCKS TO MARRY KILLIAN AND STAY HITCHED FOR A YEAR, SYLVIE THINKS, "WHY NOT? WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN?"
MEET KILLIAN BARCLAY, THE RECLUSE OF A SCOTTISH MANOR, HIDING AWAY FROM THE WORLO WHILE HIS FAMILY IS PRACTICALLY THROWING A "GET A LIFE" PARTY. HIS AUNT IS EVEN READY TO SNATCH THE HOUSE BACK BECAUSE OF HIS WILO RAGER REPUTATION! SURPRISINGLY, KILLIAN IS ON BOARD WITH THE MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE, THINKING IT MIGHT JUST BE THE TICKET TO FIX HIS FAMILY'S REPUTATION WHILE GIVING HIM A BREAK FROM THEIR RELENTLESS NAGGING.

A true enemies to lovers in the sense that literally even 50% through the book, you are not sure you are pulling for the couple to get together. Both are hot messes, and often really cutting to the other person. But both grow, in spite of themselves, toward healing in ways that read as believable and deeply loving and generous. Ended up being totally romantic, totally complex about family, and charmingly about living in Scotland.

This is my new favourite Sara Cate book and I will take absolutely no criticism.

Keep Me is quite literally my dream rolled into a book - grumpy billionaire Scotsman that hates my guts, and throw in a marriage contract? SOLD.

This was peak grumpy x grumpy and the smut was smut-ing. The chemistry and tension was so hot it was tangible and I’m obsessed

But aside from the obvious, there was such a deep and meaningful discussion around grief and mental healer that I was quite literally in tears towards the end. Bravo Sara.

I just love Sara Cate books so much and this was no different!! I loved Sylvie and Killian's story so much honestly might be one of my favorite books and romances from her. It was a little different but in the best way I thought. And ooo the spice just top tier as always. Will never stop hyping up Sara Cate books! Adding to our library for sure!

****************SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW**************

I loved Sylvie and Killian's story! This was definitely a different story line than I'm used to from Sara Cate (... SPC fan forever!!!), although the spice was in true Sara Cate fashion (HOT!!). But I truly fell in love with the characters and the ending was the perfect HEA (which I love). Sylvie was a strong FMC, even in the end when Killian told her not to wait for him, she didn't give off the helpless main female character vibes. It truly felt like she was just giving Killian his space to heal. I love how Killian helped Sylvie deal with her toxic parents. His character arc throughout the story was so sweet. I also really enjoyed the dual POV! There were some scenes/convos in this story that alluded to another book/series and I'm all for it... maybe Anna or one of the brother's stories?? Regardless Sara Cate has always been one of my faves and I will be reading anything she writes!!

I always say this about Sara's books, but I genuinely loved this book even more and cannot wait to read this whole series. Every time I get a new Sara Cate book, I know I will love it and possibly even more than the last (which I feel is impossible)! I immediately fell in love with Sylvie and Killian. The grumpy/grumpy, enemies to Lovers trope has to be a new favorite of mine. The way Sylvie stood up for herself was one of my favorite parts. I also loved how Killian not only supported her, but also stood up for her. Seeing both of them battle their own demons and trauma was inspiring. There were so many quotes in this book that resonated with me on a very deep level. I cried a couple of times because of the intensity of these moments and how I have felt the same anger and loneliness at times in my own family/parents. Along with the trauma, the portrayal of grief was fantastically written. On top of the more emotional themes, the spice was amazing as always. It kept me interested. The thing I love most about Sara's writing and her spicy scenes is that they don't fall into the trap of being a copy of lines from other authors or social media. They're unique for every couple, which makes them more memorable and stand out amongst all of the other romance or erotica novels on the market. I truly enjoy every book and this new start with the Barclay family is so exciting. I feel like this series might become my new favorite! Thanks for an amazing read, loveable characters, and intriguing story, Sara!

4.5 stars! Keep Me is a new release from Sara Cate and the start of a new series! It’s marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, grumpy x grumpy, age gap (she’s 25, he’s 37), forced proximity, broody hero, broken MMCs and I ate it up! Honestly this was nothing like I thought it would be from the synopsis, but in the best way. I am trash for broken characters and seeing them find their person, and this book was that, with a grumpy hot Scot to boot.

“Just because I can do it without you doesn’t meant I want to.”

Sylvie’s life is up in the air, she was cut off by her artist parents (who are legit trash and treat her horribly), she kinda wants to write a book but has no inspiration, her phone was broken by a grumpy Scot whose house she walked into (more to come on that), and she just walked into seeing her longtime boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend. So when the grumpy Scot’s sister shows up in NYC with an offer of 10 million dollars if she marries Killian (said grumpy Scot) and remains married for one year…well what does she have to lose.

Killian Barclay has been holed up in his Scottish manor for years and his family wants him to join the real world again, with his aunt even wanting to get the home back from him because of the raunchy parties he’s thrown there over the years. Killian is actually down for the marriage of convenience to Sylvie because he thinks it’ll finally get his family off his back if his reputation is cleaned up by being married. He just doesn’t know the extra part about his family really wanting him to get married because it’s the only way for them to access ownership of the manor, as it can be transferred from Killian if he is married for a year to his wife who will then sign the home over to the family and get paid to leave…

It took me a little bit to get into the story, but once I did, I really enjoyed it and these characters. Seeing how truly broken Killian was and everything he was working through was so sad and I loved how much he and Sylvie were there for one another. Sylvie as well has past trauma to work through with her relationship with her parents, or lack thereof. It was healing seeing these 2 together going through it while also falling in love. I’m a sucker for a marriage of convenience and this one just worked for me. I don’t think the mention of raunchy parties in the past, light BDSM, and his friends were even needed in the story honestly, there was so much to work through already for the couple. Which has nothing to do with the kink, I love how this author writes it (her SPC series is SO good), I just don’t think it added to this story particularly. I just adored Sylvie and Killian together, their grumpy banter and name calling as their love language was so fun. I’m very excited to see where this series goes!

I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own!

CW (provided by author): parental neglect, cheating (not between main characters), alcohol abuse, death, PTSD, and agoraphobia. Elements of kink and BDSM—to include exhibitionism, partner swapping, impact play, and bondage.

around of applause for Sara Cate! i devoured this book. no seriously i did, i finished it in 3 hours! it’s a fabulous start to a new series and i cannot wait for the rest. i mean who wouldn’t want a grumpy dirty mouthed scotsman as your fake husband?! the love and torment can be felt from Killan and Sylvie and those spicy scenes were getting me HOT!🥵

"Keep Me" was such a delightful surprise! It drew me in with curiosity, turned into an obsession with every page, and then—bam!—it hit me right in the feels! 😢✨ Even now that I’ve closed the book, I can’t stop thinking about it! The plot was fantastic, but it was Sylvie and Killian who truly captured my heart! 💖

Sylvie, the seemingly spoiled Manhattan princess with her glamorous parents, had a bratty edge that made her fascinating. Meanwhile, Killian, the brooding Scottish laird living in a stunning manor, added that perfect touch of mystery! 🌌 Both characters are so layered and misunderstood, and peeling back their pasts was such a rewarding experience!

The chemistry between them? Wow! 💥 It practically smacked me in the face! There were moments of spice that were super intense, making the connection feel both inevitable and uncertain at the same time! 🔥💞

I don’t want to give too much away about this enchanting story, but it’s my first read from this author, and I’m already longing for more time with these characters! 🥰 I can’t wait to see what the next book in the series has in store! Count me in for book two! 📚💫

When impulsive and feisty Sylvie Devereaux agrees to marry bad-tempered, reclusive Scottish Killian Barclay in exchange for $10 million, she thinks keeping up her end of the bargain will be easy--stay married to him for one year and walk away a rich woman. But as the two spend more time together, their bickering and arguments soon turn to passion of another kind. As the pair reluctantly starts to fall for one another, Sylvie must decide how much to reveal about the rest of the terms of her contract that Killian is unaware of.

I was a little disappointed with this book. I could excuse the slightly ridiculous setup because I generally love a good forced proximity trope, but I just didn't find the romance believable. I'm not sure why the two main characters fall in love because they don't seem to have much in common or really spend any time together or talk to one another. I don't feel like we see their relationship developing on the page; we're just told that they start to have feelings for each other. So that was a bit disappointing. That being said, the spice in this book was off the charts--the main characters may not talk much, but they have great chemistry that was written really well. I felt like the sex scenes were paced appropriately too and they didn't immediately jump into bed together. So the book was a little disappointing for me, but if you're looking for something steamy and insubstantial, this isn't a bad choice.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Killian and Sylvie are true enemies to lovers. With Killian’s inability to leave his home and Sylvie’s inability to accept love their relationship is volatile to the extreme. Add in Killian’s proclivities to sex parties and alcohol and you have a full melting pot of craziness. And yet they find enjoyment in their forced matrimony. Watching them find themselves and their love for each other was so beautiful. This book brought me to tears and all the emotions in between. I can’t wait to see if the stories continue with the Barclays!

Just Wow! Sara Cate never disappoints!

This is a true enemies to lovers, the amount of angst, banter, and sexual tension in this book is insane.
It keeps you on the edge of your seat and you can’t stop reading it.

This is not your typical Sara Cate book and I loved it!
The plot, the characters, and the spice were perfectly balanced.

Killian is a grump, the definition of an alphahole!
His character development throughout the book was just beautifully executed. This man was so swooning when he stopped fighting his feelings.

Sylvia is a fierce FMC, I fell in love with her instantly.
She fights for what she wants and for who she loves. She made me laugh, gasp, and tear up.

The spice of this book was a show apart, nobody writes spice like Sara Cate! It was steamy and so good! Their chemistry was explosive.

This book was so well written and it has the right amount of emotional parts to make us feel.

Amazing book, I am so honored to have the privilege to read this ARC.