Rating this book was a struggle for me. I absolutely loved the second half of the book, but the first half . . . not so much. The character development was very slow and the plot just dragged along. Also, while I'm sure it's gorgeous, I found myself skipping over lots (and lots) of descriptions of the Scottish Isle of Mull.

Honestly, if I hadn't loved this author's Skymar series SO MUCH, I would have stopped reading after two or three chapters. But finally, about halfway through the book, it started getting interesting to me, then about three-quarters of the way through, it got great!. The two main characters' personalities, thoughts, and feelings were developed, they started having more interaction with each other, the romance developed, and I loved (most of) the corny puns.

This is a clean Christian story with a bit more introspection than I usually encounter in rom-coms. Issues of grief, self-worth, and family disfunction are addressed. As a caution, if you are bothered by frequent discussions of physical attraction, this might not be for you, but I want to stress that nothing inappropriate happened.

Bottom line: I recommend this book if you like a story with a beautiful setting, a funny female MC, a swoony male MC, romance, quirky and interesting (for the most part) side characters, and a perfect ending.

Pepper Basham does it again.

This heartfelt story was full of laughs and tears. The author touches on some heavy topics but they are done with funny puns.

We follow Katie a travel writer who doesn’t long to settle down due to not feeling loved by people in her life and dealing with some buried grief. Until she goes on this whimsical assignment and finds a Scot and his family who welcome her with an overwhelming love.

There are a few triggers but they are done with respect and grace:

Grief
Sibling lost
Child lost

Tropes:
Grumpy/Sunshine
He falls first
Damsel in Distress
Tall FMC
Single Parent

I would recommend this to the person looking for a light hearted rom-com full of tough topics and belly laughs.

I don’t read many contemporary books but I like Pepper’s historical books so I decided to give this one a try. It was delightfully ’punny’. I loved the Scottish words and phrases. And the descriptions of Mull had me looking at images online for a while.

I love a grumpy, cinnamon roll MMC, make him Scottish and I am 100% sold. I liked how the story switched between Katie and Graeme’s POV. Their flirty banter was great. And Katie’s misadventures and accidents with Graeme swooping in to help and save her were fun. I loved seeing both Katie and Graeme find a little healing from their losses. The faith elements and reminder’s of God’s love and plans were woven into the story very well. And of course no Pepper book is complete without a few swoony kisses. I also loved Graeme’s family, especially Lachlan.

And the little nod to Jamie Jo Wright had me smiling big.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

This was a hard dnf. I gave it months of returning to it but no dice. I really really tried. Not on the author it just was not for me.

The best word to describe this book is cute. Readers will definitely be rooting for Katie and her Hot Scot. These two bond over their tragic loss...or may despite it. It's a fun read, but there is nothing earth-shattering or different going in with it's simple storyline. I always enjoy books that take place in Ireland or Scotland. The descriptions of Scotland and the use of Gealic were done well. Definitely read about Katie and her misadventures...just for quick entertainment.

I'll read any book that takes place in Scotland. This one had me enjoying every tarten-laiden page. A great beach or summer read!

A cute romance with unique characters set in the Scottish Highlands! A bit of a ren-fair aspect, which is always fun.

I started this book, and thought "it's not THAT Christian heavy, maybe I'll like it". WRONG. The second half got so preachy and religious to the point of puritanical sometimes. Yes, girl, you're allowed to say you fell on your ass, god won't mind, I promise. The romance was so rushed at the end and as a whole, this felt like an American's perspective on Scotland, that is, pretty inauthentic. 2 stars

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for providing me this ARC.

This was cute and a blast to read! I loved living vicariously through our characters and felt like I was in my own Scottish romance.

My gripe with this was the writing—it felt more basic than I prefer. If that’s up your alley, this will be great for you!!

4.25 stars

A Pepper Basham rom-com will always be fun, swoony, and quirky in all of the best ways. Some Like it Scot has so much humour but it also has some very tender and important moments. Healing is another important aspect to this novel. And if you have a fondness for puns, well.... you'll find this extra punny!

I think most, if not all women, can relate to Katie. We all have our self-conscious concerns and we tend to worry about living up to the expectations of others. Katie, also has the biggest heart and a love for people, nature, and beauty. Graeme and her have a rather unusual and gruff start to things but they eventually become friends and sparks start sparking! The clean but potent chemistry and swoon factor will send your inner squeals afire!

Graeme and Katie share a sad commonality. They both lost a sister and they went through rather different grieving experiences; however, it ends up drawing them closer. Graeme's confidence and tenderness become like an antidote to Katie's need to feel she has a home to belong to. Likewise, Graeme's trust and loyalty also needs a soft place to land.

One of my many highlights from the novel: "It seems to me we need to pray you find home, Katie-girl, because every wandering heart needs a place to rest."

As I said before, there is comic relief in many forms: clumsiness, odd situations, awkwardness, sarcastic moments, the puns, etc. Yet there are equally wonderful and deeper moments that are so touching because they are so relatable.

Be ready for cheeky parrots, suspicious sheep, grumpy Highland cows, and all sorts of hi-jinx. The characters within this book are varied and the community will win you over. ANNNNNNND.... there are kilts. (Cue the bagpipes.)


>>> Huge thanks to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, and to Net Galley for providing me with a digital advance copy of this novel. My review is in my own words.

I absolutely loved this story from Pepper. I've become a big fan of her books in the last year and this is such a beautiful addition to her collection. I loved the Scottish setting and the clever story filled with endearing and imperfect characters. Set in a clever "Edwardian Experience" (think living inside the world of Downton Abbey for 3 weeks), this story of an American travel writer who meets a grumpy Scot is full of beautiful scenery, clever (mis)adventures, and a collection of witty puns.

One of my favorite parts of this and all Pepper novels is the beautiful, clever writing and storytelling. I always feel transported into her stories through her words. The Scottish setting in this novel is breathtaking and full of history and legend. I find myself longing to experience it for myself now! Her imagery is exquisite and her descriptions of the people are witty and profound. There is just something about the way she builds her story and describes these places and people. Reading this book was such a cozy experience. I love the way she writes. I laugh, I smile, and I may have shed a few tears in this story. The beautiful themes of family, grief, finding joy, finding God, and love were simply captivating.

Katie is such a delightful protagonist. I loved getting to know the different layers that make up the person she is -- social media superstar, loyal sister and friend, true connoisseur of stories, and a beautiful woman inside and out. She is someone you can't help but love and want to be friends with. I enjoyed reading about her (mis)adventures from her run in with the highland cow to learning to dance and cozy moments in Graeme's world. She makes life an adventure. I also enjoyed the complexities of her character. She holds deep grief alongside easy friendship for all sorts of people. She treats others with kindness first and is fiercely loyal to those she loves. I loved seeing that loyalty extend to Graeme and his family. Seeing her find home with him was so beautiful.

Graeme is everything you want to see in an ideal Scottish hero. He is certainly attractive. But he is also talented, hard working, and so very kind. I loved seeing his relationship with his nephew, Lachlan and with his mother (who are both fantastic characters as well). He has also known deep grief in his life. And seeing how that has affected him is both tragic and hopeful. Graeme comes to understand his past and his potential so much more clearly in this story. I loved seeing him open up to Katie and allowing her into his home and heart. The ways he protects her and is drawn to her and saves her are simply beautiful.

Pepper does it again! I loved this beautiful story for so many reasons. A beautiful Scottish setting. Fantastic characters that find a place in your heart. A lovely, slow burn romance that showcases enemies to lovers and grumpy sunshine vibes with truly swoony kisses. And beautiful writing that shows how love, grief, loyalty, friendship, adventure, and joy can all create life and relationships. A truly fantastic novel!

Katie is a successful travel writer and influencer. Misadventures follow her everywhere she goes. Traveling the world makes her yearn for a place to call home, something she has never fully experienced due to her rootless upbringing. When a unique work opportunity arises to live as an Edwardian guest at a Scottish Highlands manor for three weeks, she jumps at the chance. Amidst the theatrical setting and eccentric fellow guests, she encounters Graeme, a reserved local who is helping with the restoration of the manor. As Katie encounters the unexpected warmth of the Mull community, she wishes she had that too. Graeme, with his deep connection to his homeland, challenges her nomadic perspective. Through shared adventures and heartfelt conversations, Katie begins to question if "home" could be found in the rugged beauty of Scotland and the quiet strength of Graeme. But can she reconcile her wanderlust with the possibility of a rooted life, especially with someone as fiercely loyal to his home as Graeme?
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 FMC values her faith
💚 found family/healing power of community
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 handsome Scotsman in a kilt
💚 navigating the loss of a sibling
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scots slang
💚 reserved MMC, outgoing FMC
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 closed-door romance

The initial hook for me was that it sounded like Austenland, which is one of my favorite movies. This was my first time reading anything by Pepper Basham, but also my first time starting and finishing a Christian romcom. I got hooked in at about 40%, as the beginning was a little confusing and slower. Thank you, Pepper, for writing low-intensity, closed-door romances for women who love God and need characters to relate to in their faith walks.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction, who provided this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expect this book on shelves when it’s published on April 8, 2025.

Some Like It Scot transported me straight to Scotland! Initially, the plot didn’t interest me much, but as the story progressed, the "Edwardian experience" faded into the background, allowing the rich Scottish setting and well-developed characters to take center stage—and I thoroughly enjoyed those parts! I especially loved the depth of the side characters.

While the romance is the heart of the story, I appreciated that each character also experienced personal growth and had their own lessons to learn, making them feel more realistic.

If you enjoy sweet romance with Christian themes and/or travel romance, this book is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham
A delightful blend of romance, humor, and Scottish charm, Some Like It Scot is a heartwarming tale that sweeps readers into the rugged beauty of the Highlands. Pepper Basham crafts a story filled with witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, and characters you can’t help but root for. Perfect for fans of sweet, feel-good love stories with a touch of adventure!

[4.5 rounded up]

“Home. We’re all trying to find it. Sometimes it’s a place. Sometimes it’s a person. Sometimes it’s both.”

“The very real fear lay between wanting to believe in the beauty but seeing only the brokenness. Maybe that beauty was worth being brave for.”


When I realized that Check & Mate wasn’t going to be for me, I pivoted to a different rom-com— Some Like It Scot. I had not read anything by Pepper Basham but I knew this would be a clean rom-com which is more my speed.

If you prefer your romance to be spicy and graphic, you won’t find that in this book, but there were definitely sparks. And I’m not the ‘swooning’ type but I imagine many moments in this book would qualify.

The Scottish setting is a romantic one. Plus there’s just something about an accent right?


The premise is this:

Katie Campbell is in Scotland on assignment for her traveling social media page— Miss Adventure— to participate in what is called the ‘Edwardian Experience’. Two weeks in an old period mansion immersed in the Edwardian era dress, food, culture, and traditions. To really see what it was like during that time (early 1900s).

Along with several other influencers/ influential people, Katie’s job is to showcase the experience for her followers as advertisement.

Traveling has been her drug, her coping mechanism after losing a sister at a young age and dealing with an unstable family life.

“measuring up to a perfect sister was hard enough when she lived. Measuring up to a memory was impossible.”

Her grandparents (first generation Scottish Americans) were her home but have recently passed.

Being in Scotland has awakened in Katie many emotions and the potential ‘home’ that has seemed all too elusive.

Of course, the attention of a ‘hot Scot’ may have stoked that fire a little bit as well.



There were many things to like in this book, but I also have a few critiques.

I liked the setting. I haven’t been to Scotland (yet) but Basham did a good job of describing the atmosphere and cultural vibe. I did end up on a rabbit trail looking up Scottish slang words, but it was actually helpful because I was better able to read in my head the Scottish accent. It had a very cozy vibe that made me, even though I hate dreary, want to get caught in the rain and warm up by the fireplace.

I liked the found-family aspect and that as much as Katie liked Graeme (he’s the ‘hot Scot’), she was just as enamored with his mom and nephew. Stories often punctuate love within families that are at odds with one another or with the love interest, so I enjoy when the love interest fits into the family so well.

I thought it was an interesting premise to have the reason for Katie being there to have to do with a different historical period. It offered unique ways for the characters to interact as well as move the plot along. I will say, I’m not entirely sure if I grasped what the Edwardian era really was (though I looked it up and it’s the period AFTER the Victorian era because King Edward was Queen Victoria’s son and that’s why I kept picturing Victorian stuff; there was probably some overlap) and I did feel like the usage of the word ‘Edwardian’ and ‘Edwardian Experience’ felt a little overbearing (almost 100 times).

I liked the sweetness of the story. Basham showed that you don’t have to have two people ripping each other’s shirts off to have sexual tension and attraction and love. You get to see more depth in the characters and their emotional relationship. It was just a lovely story.

I liked that Katie and Graeme had both experienced the loss of a sibling and that Katie was able to see his family’s way of grieving in contrast to her own parents’ way of grieving and to recognize what is healthy and okay.

I really liked that when Allison showed up at Graeme’s house, when Katie was supposed to come over, it wasn’t the scene you would usually expect to have where Katie misreads the situation, thinking Graeme is still in love with Allison and runs away believing it’s all over. Basham writes this scene in a much better way and preferable way. “This is not a Hallmark miscommunication scene.”

I liked the notion of ‘lingering’, ‘tarrying.’

I liked that Katie was a tall girl. I’m not super tall but I suspect many tall females out there would love more representation.

For the most part I enjoyed the humor aspect of the book. It has a good title, and if you love puns, this will be a right up your alley. I have mixed feelings about puns, especially in written form as in a book because it feels like you have to do it just right to have the funniest effect. Some of the humor in this book seemed cheesy or trying too hard, but other times it hit right. I’m trying to figure out if we can get the humor of Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood but in a cleaner story. This wasn’t quite there, but it was several steps in the right direction.


I didn’t particularly like that Katie’s main ‘thing’ was her clumsiness and propensity for trouble. It makes for a great social media page name, but beyond that, I just don’t like that kind of trope. It feels too obnoxious and performative to be a real trait. How does someone fall and spill so much?!

I’m also not super engaged with a character that has such a shockingly negative self-perception. I had to reflect on this several times because I was just like- how can she really think so low of herself in all these different situations? And I get that I don’t really understand what it’s like to be told you’re not enough over and over in different ways by your own parents and how that would have to shape your self-perception.

I just think I enjoy female characters with self-confidence more (not arrogance but a realistic view of themselves) and that know their strengths (and their weaknesses). It’s probably just more relatable to me. That’s not to say it was a bad choice for this book, and it’s good for me to think about the internal experience of someone different from me, but it’s just not my favorite kind of character. The constant- how could anyone love me?- seemed a bit too over the top.

I felt like the competition aspect with Mark started out good, but then Mark just kinda screwed himself over and found himself kicked out so the tension there really evaporated fast. I think if you’re going to introduce a rivalry like that that she should have finished it in a more full way. The focus shifted, as it should with this being a love story, but then the rivalry basically vanished instead of settling in a concrete way.

Another thing I didn’t like, but it’s also probably why I don’t typically love romance novels in the first place— so many comments about his shoulders and jawline! I mean I guess there could be worse body parts to name all the time, but still.



I looked at a lot of the negative reviews on Goodreads and the common thread (in almost every one) was that people were turned off that it was a Christian book or that it was too modest.

I guess they felt like the ‘religious’ aspect of the book should have been tagged more clearly in the book summary.

It is technically a Christian book. There are elements of Katie and Graeme’s faith interspersed throughout the book, but I wouldn’t say the faith aspect is the main point of the book. I think Basham’s goal was to write a clean rom-com that just didn’t try to hide faith. I didn’t find the faith references to be cheesy or too much.

However, I don’t know what it’s like to read a Christian fiction book when you weren’t wanting to so I can’t perceive how the story will come across to those who don’t typically like or want to read a ‘Christian’ book.

I think it’s tough to write romance these days when smut is so glorified. Modesty is seen as juvenile or laughable. Everyone has their own convictions on how much is too much spice but I will support and appreciate authors who are willing to hold the line on modesty because we need to normalize romance that is not illicit or graphic. Love does not need to be forbidden or steamy to be true and deep. Actually I think they are diametrically opposed.


Recommendation

There is definitely an audience who will probably not like this book, but I would say the reasons are preferential rather than qualitative. Those who want their romance to be smut, will not find that here. Those who do not want to read a book with any Christian references, might not like this book.

But if you are anyone else, I think you would enjoy this book! It’s a good, cozy, sweet rom-com with hints of humor and hints of faith. It draws on elements of finding family, finding yourself, and finding home. Plus who doesn’t love a Scottish setting for a love story?

When I’m in the mood for a rom-com, I’ll definitely keep Basham on my radar!


**Received an ARC via NetGalley**

I never expected to connect so deeply with a character, but Katie felt like a kindred spirit. From her faith and love of travel to her passion for writing (and let’s not forget the puns), I saw so much of myself in her. Her journey was captivating, and I couldn’t get enough—especially when it came to the “hot Scot” who completely stole the show.

Speaking of him… let’s just take a moment. Tall, brooding, and impossible to ignore, he had me hooked from the start. But what truly made him stand out wasn’t just his charm or the electric banter with Katie—it was his family. I adored them just as much and found myself wishing I could sit down with them for a cozy chat over tea.

If you love witty exchanges, swoon-worthy slow-burn romance, and a fair share of chaotic misadventures, *Some Like It Scot* is a must-read. Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy—this was such a fun ride!

Katie Campbell, a travel writer infamous for her misadventures, delves into a three-week Edwardian experience in Scotland to explore her ancestral roots. Surrounded by traditional foods and eccentric characters, including a surly Scotsman named Graeme MacKerrow, Katie's tendency for misadventures is highlighted. Graeme, focused on preserving his ancestral home, is thrown off balance by Katie's presence. As Katie navigates folklore and community, the overly detailed narrative sometimes drags, but the highlight is the way Katie and Graeme keep coming back to each other.

**Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Pepper Basham for an eARC of Some Like It Scot.

Title: Some Like It Scot    
Author: Pepper Basham         
Genre: Christian, Romance    
Rating: 4 out of 5

Katie Campbell has traveled her entire life. As the daughter of an army chaplain, changing homes--or even countries--was commonplace, so when her wild childhood storytelling turned into a lucrative career as a travel writer, she thought she'd found her perfect match. But as she's nearly thirty with no real place to settle down, she's starting to wonder where "home" actually is. Her own family hadn't felt like home since her sister's death left them all limping through life.

When a lengthy project in Scotland promises to not only give her travel fodder for months but also a shot at a coveted editing position, she accepts and is sent to spend three weeks in the newly created Craighill House, a Scottish home redesigned to offer guests an Edwardian experience. But her entrance to Craighill introduces her to a quirky group of characters and a surly Scot who is helping refurbish the magnificent woodwork of the estate house.

As Katie attempts to live "Edwardian," she learns that all that glitters does not a comfortable lifestyle make . . . and surly Scots may turn out to be dashing and creative uncles raising their orphaned nephews. When a few escapades from the Downton era lead Katie on hunts for mermaids and dragons or to a fireside chat with a family who has grown stronger through tragedy, Katie begins to wonder if "home" looks a whole lot like rolling green hills, magnificent braighs, and a few extra "ayes" thrown in for good measure. But can her world-traveling lifestyle fit in with a Scot whose heart is double-knotted to home?

This was a cute, fun read, perfect for a weekend binge. Lots of comedic moments made it enjoyable. I liked Katie a lot, and her banter with Graeme was a lot of fun (okay, I love puns, but it did get a tiny bit excessive with them). Graeme’s family was wonderful, and I’d love to read more with them. I really wanted to  pack up and run away to Scotland!

Pepper Basham lives in North Carolina. Some Like it Scot is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 4/12).

The more I read this story, the more I fell in love with Katie and Graeme! I'll admit, there were moments when I struggled, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. As the story unfolded, I found pieces of myself in Katie, and Graeme reminded me so much of my own husband. Their journey felt real and deeply personal. I’m truly glad I read this!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Thomas Nelson Fiction through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book made me so happy!🥰 I LOVED Katie and Graeme! I loved the banter, the humor, the romance, the setting, and the faith.

I loved Katie’s character right from the start! We would most definitely be friends! I love that she’s described as taller than your average female, “sturdy” and “well-built”. As a taller female, I could totally relate. I loved her humor and kind heart.
I loved Graeme too of course! He was the perfect grump to Katie’s sunshine. They were perfect for each other and I could feel the chemistry on every page! From the meet cute to the rescues from misadventures, their story was such a sweet one! They had me snickering then swooning. It was a fun ride.😌

I loved the family dynamics in this story too. I loved Graeme’s family, especially his mother and nephew.
There was plenty of lighthearted moments but plenty of depth to the story as well which I absolutely loved.❤️ The faith content was wonderful!

In conclusion, I loved this book so much! I can always count on a Pepper Basham book to make me smile (and swoon!)
If you love contemporary books with
🗺️ a brooding, Scottish hero
🗺️ adventurous, influencer heroine
🗺️ the grump/sunshine trope
🗺️ faith
🗺️ family dynamics
🗺️ Scotland setting
I think you’ll love this one!

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy to review! All opinions are my own.