Member Reviews
A pretty standard rom-com set up, I had high hopes!
Unfortunately that didn't last long, I found the constant repetition of certain descriptors almost word for word and an unnecessarily prolonged cello metaphor unbearable.
I am not anti tropes, but the 'clumsy girl' took on a new meaning when she started falling off cliffs and almost drowning...
The Katie's backstory, especially her relationship with her mum, was relatable though I did find myself rolling my eyes at the fact it was solved pretty instantaneously by simply falling in love. No hard work, barely any talking about it and definitely no therapy.
For a book that started well I found I was not as invested by the end and was rushing to finish for the wrong reasons.
Free proof copy provided by Netgalley.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for providing me the opportunity to review an early copy of this novel. All of the thoughts and the opinions expressed are my own.
American travel writer and slightly accident prone Katie Campbell traveled to Scotland to take part in an Edwardian program at a manor house. There she met Graeme MacKerrow-by accident-literally. In a series of unfortunate (or fortunate) events, Katie and Graeme are continually in each other's company. Katie begins to feel the pull of having a home. Graeme begins to feel the pull of having more than his limited life. Both characters have to make some decisions about their futures.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was quintessentially Pepper Basham. This book was brimming with fun and humor. It was very punny! The underlying message was great as well. Even with the humor, the message of the love of Christ shows through.
If you like clean humorous love stories, then this will be a great story for you to pick up. If accident prone people and silly people get on your nerves, this may not be the book for you. #SomeLikeItScot #NetGalley
Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham
A braw tale indeed, this contemporary romance has one of the most relatable FMCs I’ve read about in a hot minute (or a *scot* minute, wink wink) and it’s not just because we share a name.
When they meet, Katie and Graeme are both still navigating the world they created for themselves after suffering a terrible loss. As they get to know each other, they open to new possibilities and we see some beautiful emotional growth as a result. I was happy and surprised, given who shows up towards the end, to avoid a dramatic third-act breakup and instead see some effort and communication.
The characters of Mull were downright cozy and the author does a wonderful job of creating ‘the modern dream’ for any Outlander fan. A sweet bookstore owner always pouring you a cup of tea, a young boy wandering with his dog and telling you all the tales of Scotland, a “Hot Scot” whispering ‘Lass’ in your ear - I couldn’t dream up anything better.
If you’re a fan of contemporary romance, if you’re a fan of Scottish men, then you must add this to your TBR!
I received an ARC of this novel on NetGalley and a big thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 1/5
Some Like It Scot
Pepper Basham
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Travel writer, Katie Campbell, makes a living sharing her misadventures around the world with her online followers. Offered the opportunity to spend three weeks immersed in an "Edwardian Experience" at a Scottish manor, she travels to Craighill House on the Isle of Mull.
A strong, tall Scotsman with a beard. A carpenter and woodworker. A man devoted to family raising his deceased twin sister’s son. A close family tied to an ancestral home in Scotland. Pepper Basham painted a vivid picture of her story’s hero and we could envision every mist, fog, highland glen, and cliff. The magic and mystery of Scotland surrounded our couple. Add in the hero falling for our “Katie-girl” with all her stumbling and misadventures and readers heaved a deep sigh. To be seen at your worst, still be loved, and find your true home is the dream of every “lass”.
We received an advance copy from NetGalley. This is our honest review.
A hilarious yet heart-warming modern-day rom-com from Pepper Basham! The rather bumbling heroine (a social media influencer) finds herself in the midst of an authentic Edwardian "experience" and falls (quite literally) for a handsome Scot.
But the depth of the novel is in the Basham's characters. Loveable (even in their blunders), insightful (though they are so human), and hilarious (plus all the puns) by turns, you just might find yourself falling in love, too.
Pepper Basham’s latest, Some Like it Scot, is a beautiful story about a traveling Photojournalist known for her mishaps, and a Scot who’s trying to create a new life from some messy, broken pieces.
Again, Katie is confident in her skills, but, having lived most of her life ‘not good enough’ and never measuring up, it’s really difficult for her to accept when some people actually think she’s worth being around. Fear of disappointing them wars with hope that she may have found her people.
Graeme’s fears, having been proven valid a few times now, aren’t letting him trust that any new opportunities, personal or professional, are going to prove worth the risk.
Watching both of them begin to trust, and even think differently about themselves, is beautiful. And hilarious with their running pun-war.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and net galley for an advanced reader copy of this book!
I love Scotland I love Scotland so much, the setting for this book was just lovely. I liked the premise and the main characters. I also found the side characters were very charming as well. This book is very low drama and sweet. There is no spice. I enjoyed it and would read another book by this author.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Language/Profanity: Nothing really, there was a 'Thank the good Lord' and a 'Bloomin'
Faith: I didn't see much in this book.
Romance/Sex: There was a lot of looking at each other, mentioning the curves on Katie, large muscles on Graeme, lots of kisses to wards the end, but nothing beyond that. Some flirting, mentions of 'sexy.' Mentions of dresses that hug curves.
Action/Adventure: Katie gets into lots of scraps, and once or twice she was in some danger but not over much.
Other: A very slight mention of a 'godess.' Mention of a man sliding down a banister and injuring himself. A use of b-- crack of dawn'. A mother is hard on her children, excepting perfection from them that causes her to become... nasty when they aren't perfect.
This was a intresting book, and I did enjoy most of it, but there were a few things I didn’t like... the amount of looking at each other was a bit too much, but it only got to kissing, nothing else. I would have preferred it a bit more if there was more 'Faith' in it, but it was clean. But otherwise it was good, though it wasn't my favorite book. The main characters truthfully did not catch me as much as some of the other side characters. I want to see what Pepper Basham's other books would be like.
I didn't see any inconsistencies, though there were a few formatting errors (Missing spaces, and a long dash instead of a name.)
Favourites:
My favourite part is the dinner disaster:
My favourite quote is:
Sure, the whole King Arthur legend was wrapped up in Scottish lore, but a maid searching for Merlin in a Scottish house with a stuffed ostrich?
My favorite characters are: Lachlan, and Graeme's Mother.
Three Point Five Stars.
DNF at 53%
I really tried to get into this one, and I had high hopes, but… it just wasn't for me. More women’s fic than romance, and just a bit too heavy on themes of grief and Christianity to even call it a romcom, which made the silly screwball comedy seem even more awkward…? I might try another book by this author but this just wasn’t it for me.
I liked, but did not love, this book. I tried so hard to feel all the feelings but it just didn't do it for me (and that's ok). I'm sure plenty of other people will love this book, the characters are well-written and the plot is entertaining. Katie and Graeme were the definitely of slow-burn to the point that I wasn't even sure if they were going to get together at all. I did want to keep reading but the romance didn't make me feel butterflies. The descriptions of Scotland were a fun aspect of the book, making me wish for pictures of the beautiful scenery.
I would have liked some notice that there were Christian elements to the book as some might not enjoy religion in their romance books; perhaps some of the fault is mine if this was mentioned and I did not see it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Wow! The puns and misadventures in this book were such a treat! Katie had such a humble view of herself and didn't take herself seriously. Her ability to laugh off her blinders and find the joy in each day was so endearing. Katie's descriptions of Graeme painted him in such a good light. Mirren was an incredible character and a person you would want in your corner. Lachlan was just adorable as could be.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
I absolutely love Pepper Basham’s novels.
This is a great one about a goofy precious young woman find her way.
I also enjoyed the wink at another series wondering if this will be a continuation!
I was really intrigued by the premise of Some Like It Scot which meant I was extra excited to be approved for an ARC! Thanks so much to Pepper Basham and the netgalley team for allowing me to read this early! This book was a really unique blend of contemporary with some Edwardian elements plus located in Scotland so what more could you ask for?! Definitely recommend reading this book. It was very enjoyable just like everything else I have read by Pepper Basham. Her storytelling is so good. In this book, I really enjoyed the characters and watching their growth throughout the book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Katie Campbell is a travel writer who’s never been able to put down roots. Her family doesn’t feel like home after her sister’s death. When an opportunity to spend three weeks in Scotland promises to give her content for her travel writing and a shot at an editor position, she accepts. She sets off for Craighill House, which has been fashioned to provide tourists with an Edwardian experience. What she doesn’t expect to experience is the heroic actions of a grumpy Scot, he’s adorable nephew, and his meddling, mischievous mother.
Ms. Basham lovingly describes Scotland’s rugged landscape in great detail. She paints vibrant images and creates quirky characters that make up the island of Mull. This is a dual POV, which I really enjoyed. Each character had some baggage and they’re both trying to do the best they can. It was great to get inside both of their heads.
I really liked both Katie and Graeme. They were complex characters who made the best of what life threw at them. While Katie used humor to mask the loneliness she feels, she slowly begins to let down the walls she’s built and allows her vulnerability to shine through. I thought the banter between Katie and Graeme was fun.
This is a slow burn, and I do wish their relationship progressed faster. The pace dragged quite a bit for a good portion of the novel, and I found myself bored at times. There could’ve been more scenes of the two spending time together. It seemed more attention was paid to Katie’s adventures than their romance. This felt more like a women’s fiction novel with romantic elements, than a romance. Which is fine, just not what I was looking for.
The secondary characters were fun and added color to the story. I especially appreciated Mrs. Lennox’s eccentricity, and her failed best laid plans added a lot of humor. Lachlan and Mirren pull at your heart strings, and I enjoyed their interactions with Katie.
I wasn’t too crazy about the references to God and church. If I’m honest, had I known it would play a significant role in the novel, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. It was told through a Christian lens, and it felt very alienating and noninclusive. It became heavy handed in and around 50%. It probably won’t be a problem for most, but I didn’t care for it. I think there’s an audience for this book, but I am not it.
I thought this story was fantastic! Together, these endearing, delightful characters, hilarious moments, the stunning setting, and of course, the profound faith, created an incredible tale that I didn't want to put down! I would have gladly stayed with them longer; I wasn't prepared for the story to end!
Its setting in Scotland and the notion of a travel writer appealed to me greatly. It was the ideal, comfortable fall read because of the whole scene. This is the ideal book for you if you're missing the Scottish setting, the accents, and a wealth of lore.
Some Like it Scot is perfect!!! I would give it 10 stars if if I could! The characters are great, the setting is beautiful and the story is everything.
Pepper is a master of great storytelling. No one should miss Katie, the #hotscot and all the lovable and sometimes irritating cast of characters.
Ps. My new favorite word is eejit! 😉
I was given a copy by the editor via NetGalley for my honest review.
Katie's inner monologue and descriptions kept me laughing throughout the book! Add in her puns, banter with Graeme, and her penchant for clumsy disasters, and this is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. All while still being real. It never felt over the top or like the author, Pepper Basham, was grasping or trying to hard. The descriptions of the people and location made me want to travel to Scotland, and feel like I was already there. Loved it!!
What a delightful story!!!
When I need a laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, and romantic story, I know I can count on a Pepper Basham book! I have to say, I absolutely like it Scot along with Katie Campbell. Katie is a most genuine, self-deprecatingly funny person, she is a travel writer, and photographer who shares her "Miss Adventures" with her followers. Her latest assignment takes her to Scotland where she meets the cranky but gorgeous Graeme MacKerrow. I love her nicknames for him "Hateful Highlander", "Sulky Scott", "Stoic Scot", "Mr. Grump" to name a few. Despite calling himself an "eejit", Graeme is attracted to this tall, funny, prone-to-mishaps visitor from America. "Few things appealed to a Scotsman like a keen sense of humor." Their banter was so much fun.
Katie meets the delightful Mirren, owner of the local bookstore, and Katie's "grin responded to her humor without hesitation." The Wednesday morning "Stories and Stitches" book club are a hoot. Mirren is a kind, funny, and loving woman about Katie's mother's age. Mirren tells her "every person's story is worth hearing Katiegirl."
I adored the 8 year old Lachlan and his dog Wedge. I got as much of a kick out of his expressions and accent as Katie did.
I love the author's nods to the game Clue. "Miss Adventure in the sitting room with a fishing pole."
Even though he is anonymous, Graeme is the handsome guy behind #HotScot trending on Katie's social media. The sight of him in a kilt at the Highland games left Katie speechless.
The scenery descriptions are stunning.
I love the way Pepper seamlessly weaves faith throughout the story.
Graeme's family is wonderful, funny, and one that anyone would love to be a part of. They too have had their share of loss. Katie is close to her brother, but the rest of her family has been distant since her sister died many years ago. Her travel career is satisfying but also a way to run away from how things were.
Some Like it Scot is a delightfully funny, sweet journey of healing and finding belonging. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to the publisher Thomas Nelson and Net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. I loved every minute of it, and all opinions are my own.
Sinopsis en español:
La popular escritora de viajes y podcaster Katie Campbell recorre el mundo recopilando historias de otras personas. Ha construido una carrera como "Miss Adventure", conocida por decir que sí a cualquier cosa nueva (país, comida o experiencia) y, como era de esperar, encontrar esas aventuras tomando un giro descendente en desventuras.
Ofrecida la oportunidad de explorar sus raíces ancestrales a través de una experiencia eduardiana de tres semanas, Katie se encuentra inmersa en la belleza y excentricidad de Escocia. En su atuendo de época, con comidas y actividades tradicionales, las oportunidades de desventuras son infinitas, especialmente con la presencia de un guacamayo maníaco, un compañero de trabajo celoso y un escocés demasiado hosco.
El solitario y protector Graeme MacKerrow no se aventura lejos de su isla natal. Un estoico escocés, la zona de confort de Graeme siempre ha sido la familia, y después de la muerte de su hermana, está aún más decidido a salvar el hogar ancestral de MacKerrow y mantener cerca a los que ama. La repentina intrusión de una nes estadounidense de seis pies y uno, famosa por sus desgracias viajeras, estaba lejos de su plan.
Mientras este mundo de folclore, comunidad y carpinteros con faldas tienta a Katie a descubrir su propia historia, ¿podría esta gran serie de desventuras llevarla directamente a donde pertenece? ¿Y un escocés establecido arriesgaría alguna vez a aflojar su control sobre lo que es familiar para permitir que un escritor con pasión por los viajes tenga un hogar en su corazón? ¿Cómo podrían sus mundos tan diferentes compartir la misma página de la historia de la vida cuando "el hogar" está en dos lugares muy diferentes? Pero tal vez el hogar, y el futuro, no es exactamente lo que cualquiera de los dos imaginó que sería. Tal vez el hogar se trata menos de un lugar... y más de una persona.
Reseña:
Me encantó, que linda sensación es leer un buen libro de romance en donde todo se centre en la relación de los protagonistas, pero sin quitarles sus personalidades ni sueños y que siendo sus propias personas, solo que más fuertes porque están juntos.
Some Like it Scot is a smashing hit! I absolutely loved it. It’s a romcom at its finest. An accident prone heroine, a dashing “hot Scot” rescuer, an adorable kid, and a warm welcoming family will all draw the reader into the story with strings that will wrap around your heart. This is one family and love story that I won’t easily forget!