Member Reviews
The absolute best one yet!
I fell in love with this series in number 4 with Shona and that rascal, Gnorman. Since then I back tracked and read the rest of the series from the start. Its definitely one I plan to keep up with and it has introduced me to Tricia O'Malley!
This book...seriously didn't falter in any way. I loved the themes of loving the shape that you are and shedding your grump bit by bit. My favourite couple to date!
I was in stitches with the personality of Clyde. He was the star of the show for me. His playfulness and feelings, and the fact he was frightened of the cutest kitten ever! I loved the animal whisperer side of Willow.
Willow's magic is also the one I'd want most out of them all and I'm creative just like she is (and just as curvy.) She spoke to me!
Calvin is the best familiar so far and I love that he can communicate so well with Willow.
I think the narrator's did a great job and looked forward to my commute every day with this to listen to.
Funnily enough, I met a hot Scot and his fiance today and he got chatting about the kilt and Tartans that he would wear for their wedding. Well... what a coincidence, we talked each others ear off about tartans and kilts with all of the info gleaned from this 'Beauty!'
Thanks so much to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an opportunity to listen to and review this audio book. 4.5 stars!
This series is so good! I've read 2 now out of the series. I will be picking up the rest. These can be read as standalone. This is a cozy fantasy with some heat. So good!
Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Select for an audio ARC of this book for an honest review.
I received an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of this audiobook from NetGalley | Dreamscape Select | Lovewrite Publishing
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🎧
I am loving this whole series. Willow is so accepting of everything that happens, and I feel that is because she is always searching for where she belongs. So when she lands in the place where her soul felt it, she then could and does become what she was always searching for.
I think she needs to set healthier boundaries between herself and her brother. I get that he wants to be protective, but it was just too much. He wasn't letting her make her own mistakes. He thought he knew better, but he didn't.
Ramsay's character was interesting very I can do it myself I don't need help. But he does. Once he let himself have the help, it opened him up to more possibilities.
That is when love bloomed.
Swoon.
The narration was fantastic. Amy and Will do a beautiful job of bringing this book's whimsy and magical elements to life.
The author's note broke my heart. My deepest sympathies.
Title: Wild Scottish Beauty
Series: The Enchanted Highlands #5l
Author: Trisha O’Malley
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrators: Amy Landon and Will Watt
Publisher: Dreamscape Select
Genre: Romance
Audiobook Release Date: June 3, 2024
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages 394
Although this is #5 in the Enchanted Highlands series, it is my first.
In this story we meet Ramsey a grumpy kilt maker and his new fashion intern Willow in the town of Loren Brae and the Order of Caledonia.
Willow, the fashion intern was recruited to work on clothing designs for the McAlpine Castle gift shop under the direction of Ramsey as well as become the newest member of the magical Order of Caledonia.
As she comes into her magic by various challenges, Willow’s also trying to find a way to work with Ramsey, who is her brother’s best friend. However Ramsey doesn’t want an intern certainly not his best friend’s little sister. Needless to say sparks fly between Willow and Ramsey. Although I was sure this was going to be a HEA, there were times I wasn’t so sure.
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for this early Audiobook.
Audio Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 3, 2024.
♡ Scottish MMC + American FMC
♡ Grumpy x Sunshine
♡ Workplace + Forced Proximity
♡ Plus Size Rep
♡ Brother's Best Friend
♡ Magical Elements
This story had a fun and unique premise, which also felt a bit cheesey at times. We have an American fashion intern who travels to Scotland to work for the local kiltmaker who happens to be her brother's best friend.
I read this as a standalone and felt a little lost when previous characters' stories were mentioned. I also wasn't expecting the magical elements in this, but it was a welcome surprise.
The audiobook was very enjoyable. I especially liked the male narrator's accent, which really transported you to bonnie Scotland.
Overall, this was a cozy and easy read/listen, but it was lacking in depth for me. I didn’t wholly believe the couple's connection and felt the plot had some pacing issues.
Thank you to Dreamscape Select | Lovewrite Publishing for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Ugh I love this series so much. Each story is like another warm hug and I can’t get enough of it. I need a ghost coo sweatshirt immediately.
I think this is my new comfort series.
Every book I get further into this series and further in love with these characters. These books are just FUN. They’ve got fun characters, fun storylines, fun everything.
I especially love these narrators. The MMC’s Scottish brogue is 🔥🥵
Special thanks to @dreamscape_media for the ALC.
I love the Enchanted Highland series. With Wild Scottish Beauty we get a weaver to join the group protecting Loren Brae. Willow is a fashion designer. Sophie invites her to Scotland to help design items for the castle gift shop. Sophie also plans for Willow to work with Ramsay, a well known kilt designer. Ramsay is Willow’s brother Miles best friend. This of course creates complications.
Willow isn’t my favorite of the heroines. She is a bit whiny.
I enjoyed the storyline, and the love that grows between Ramsay and Willow.
I love how creative the author is with the challenges each woman faces to become part of the Order of Caledonia.
I enjoyed the dual narrators.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for the chance to listen to Wild Scottish Beauty.
Willow is trying to prove herself in the world of fashion so when the she gets the chance to start again (after a few mishaps) in Loren Brae she jumps at it with both feet as she does with most things.
Willow is an optimist, always looking for the good in things, but her brother always tries to put a dampener on her enthusiasm as he thinks she’s too trustworthy. When she discovers her new job is working for her brother’s friend she starts to doubt why she got the job.
It turns out her new employer, an old family friend and the grumpy kilt maker is not too happy to have someone else invading his space.
Ramsay is used to working alone and doing things by himself, so it takes a lot of persuasion to let Willow in, but when he does the sparks between them fly. They are both very wary of moving forward with anything because of her brother, but they just can’t stay away.
Willow also finds out she is Loren Brae for a whole different reason and this is where we get to see all our old friends from the previous books.
I love the magical aspect of the story.
Willow was my kind of FMC, funny, smart, talented, brave and caring. Ramsay also hit the spot for me, he was grumpy, creative, protective and loving.
The whole book was really engaging, funny and kept my attention throughout. I really liked the narrators, they really brought the story to life for me.
YES! I am in love with this series. Tricia O'Malley is skilled at world building and her cosy romances are exactly what I need after a long work day, well even in the middle of a long work day!
A chance job offer in Scotland gives Willow Barlowe an excuse to escape the predictable life her overly controlling brother, Miles, wants for her. Excited to start fresh as a fashion intern for the local kiltmaker, Willow lands in small town Loren Brae brimming with sunshine and hope. Until she discovers that her new boss is none other than Ramsay McMillan, her brother’s best friend, and the grumpiest man this side of the Atlantic.
You have to love a grumpy male lead, they are always some of the best. Take Mr Darcy for example and Ramsay McMillan is no exception. The chemistry and connection between Willow and Ramsay is so perfectly done. Looking forward to more!
This is a review specifically for the audiobook and it was not for me.
The female narrator was a bit dry but fine enough. The male narrator was a big miss. The FMC is from Minnesota, the FN didn't really accent her, the MN did. Let me tell you how unsexy a Minnesotan accent is (sorry, it's a lot). His Scottish was also very awkward to me and it was jarring when the POV changed.
The story was fine. I read this as a standalone and did not realize there were magical elements so it took me a second to catch up but I didn't feel like I missed anything by not reading the other books.
I thought the slow burn was too slow and there was not enough tension, maybe I missed it with the audio though. (General note that I love slow burn usually)
Not a disappointing experience but I'm not sure I'll be motivated to reach for other books in the series.
Thank you to the author, Dreamscape, Lovewrite and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this title. I received this audiobook as an ARC and am leaving my review voluntarily and honestly
This was a super fun premise for a romance novel, as it ties in magical realism in a lighthearted way. It’s the fifth book of a series that I have never read, but that didn’t at all subtract from my enjoyment of it. Although I will be backtracking to read the other four! I loved Willow as an FMC, and I love how strong she was in her self. The author wrote her confidence and vulnerability as a curvy woman in such a real way. Ramsay, the MMC was super real too in that at times he was perfect for her and at times he needed some sense knocked in to him. As an audiobook, it was even more fun because I love hearing the accents. Very well done! Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
I was never a big romance reader until I found Tricia O'Malley and book one of this series. Once I had finished Wild Scottish Knight it was over and I was hooked. Willow was so enduring and so easy to relate to. It could have been me there in that castle falling in love with the country, the village, and the Scotsman. And lets be honest I would absolutely love it to be me. I still absolutely love Sophie and Lauchlen, and it makes me so happy to see them still so much in love. And of course I was happy to see my favorite character of the whole series Clyde! Becuse who doesn't want their own highland ghost coo? I think that this one was one of my faves thus far in the series. The family drama and the build up for Willow and Ramsey was fantastic. I cannot wait for book six! Also the narrators of this book did a fantastic job of bringing the book to life in the best ways!
3.5 Stars Wild Scottish Beauty is a cozy romance set in the Scottish highlands with a magical twist.
A job offer in Scotland gives designer Willow Barlowe a chance to escape her overprotective and controlling brother, Miles, and her boring life. When she discovers that her boss is none other than Ramsay McMillan, her brother's best friend and a huge grump, Willow becomes wary that her brother is keeping tabs on her through Miles. At Ramsay Kilts, one of the last remaining traditional kiltmakers in Scotland, Willow and Ramsay constantly clash, but neither can deny the feelings between them.
I haven't read the previous books in this series, which I think is pretty necessary though this book can be read as a standalone. I was not expecting the magical/enchanted elements of the story and it threw me through a loop, but the characters did a good job of explaining the backstory. I still think I would've gotten a lot more out of the story if I'd read the previous titles.
Much thanks to Tricia O'Malley, Dreamscape Select, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First and foremost, the VIP of this novel is Clyde the ghost coo. My mom has a miniature highland steer as a pet and he's as playful as any puppy; Clyde reflected that, and I absolutely adored it. Clyde alone elevates this four-star book to five stars.
I really enjoyed this cute romance, but it had its faults. It was packed with cliches---friend's little sister is off limits, coworker is off limits, village dance, etc. The most egregious was Ramsay pushing Willow away for her own good---I cannot roll my eyes hard enough. Ramsay's misplaced gallantry and traces of chauvinism were probably the worst things about him, otherwise he was a great hero. Willow was a good heroine, as well as an underdog I loved rooting for. Her brother was a fucking dick to her, I don't think she was nearly as angry with him as she should have been.
Another fault was the fantasy subplot that involved some legend and kelpies and powers. I honestly did not understand it, but it didn't matter much so no need to sweat. It was clearly tossed in there to make the story longer and more interesting. Felt super half-assed and wasn't any kind of resolved, being the over-arching plot for the series.
The narrators Amy Landon and Will Watt were great. Watt's Scottish brogue certainly sounded authentic---maybe too much. It was so thick that I was forced to listen at x1 speed; the next speed up, x1.25 (the NetGalley app has few playback speed options), made Watt sound garbled. That was the first time I listened to an audiobook at normal speed in . . . years.
Overall, if you want a fun romp with charismatic characters, an adorable psychic cat and ghost cow, and you don't mind overused tropes, look no farther. I totally want to read the others in the series. I want more Clyde.
These books are so great - cozy and sweet, steamy and magical! Everything happening in a precious Scottish town, a full cast of characters to love, and some seriously sexy romance.
As the fifth book in a series, it’s *possible* to start with this one (everything gets explained well and catches you up) but for the full experience, I recommend reading the others. They’re also good!!
Willow and Ramsey knew each other as children (it’s brother’s best friend trope!) but they haven’t seen each other in years. As grown ups, there is serious sexual tension when willow finds out Ramsey’s assistant was the one to hire her for an epic opportunity. He’s a totally grump, and she’s convinced he must dislike her - but what he’s actually thinking is far more interesting.
Tricia O’Malley does a great job giving us actual plot with these books! Some romance misses that mark but she doesn’t. I’m always invested in the town’s happenings, the businesses, and the cast of characters that carries over from each book (adding one newcomer each time). And can I just say thank goodness for narrators with accents?!
Tropes:
Romantasy
Brothers best friend
Forbidden
Hot Scottish MMC/American FMC
Forced proximity
Workplace romance
Loved this one! Can’t wait for the next book to see what plays out.
Another winner from Tricia! I have loved every book in this series, and Wild Scottish Beauty was no exception; in fact, it may be my favorite from the series.
I loved the dynamic between Willow and Ramsay, and the way that their relationship progressed so naturally. I am such a sucker for a brother's best friend trope and this absolutely delivered on that front. There were also the elements of workplace romance and grumpy/sunshine, which are some of my favorite tropes. Willow was truly a ray of sunshine in grumpy Ramsay's world, and they balanced each other out well.
I really enjoyed the appearance of our beloved characters from the other books, and seeing them in their own HEAs. As with the previous books, the "animal sidekick" was such a fun addition to the story, as well as our lovely Clyde the Ghost Coo.
As always, our performances by Will Watt and Amy Landon were outstanding! They have truly brought Tricia's whole series to the next level with their narration.
Magical, Sexy, Funny, and a whole lot of other words to describe happiness is the best way to describe this book and the entire series!
Another hit from Tricia O'Malley. Love the magical romance of this Scotland based rom com.
A chance job offer in Scotland gives Willow Barlowe an excuse to escape the predictable life her overly controlling brother, Miles, wants for her. Excited to start fresh as a fashion intern for the local kiltmaker, Willow lands in small town Loren Brae brimming with sunshine and hope. Until she discovers that her new boss is none other than Ramsay McMillan, her brother’s best friend, and the grumpiest man this side of the Atlantic. Never mind the ghost Highland coo that haunts the castle, nor the supposedly bewitched waters of Loch Mirren, Willow refuses to work under Ramsay’s watchful eyes, certain he’s reporting back to her brother.
Ramsay Kilts is home to one of the last remaining traditional kiltmakers in Scotland, Ramsay McMillan. Loyalty, continuity, and tradition are important to Ramsay–as is his privacy. After a family betrayal, Ramsay keeps his walls up, running a veritable kilt empire with as minimum fuss as he can. Enter Willow Barlowe–his new intern, good friend’s little sister, and a veritable thorn in his side. If the thorn is made of sunshine and sparkles that is.