Rating: 5⭐️ | Spice: 2🌶️
What to Expect:   
Second Chance Romance
Forbidden
Only One Tent
Found Family
Scottish Setting (Isle of Skye)

“It’s alright to not know what you want, but when you do, don’t let it go. Give it everything you have, or you won’t stand a chance of ever being happy.”

Review Title & Vibes:
{I WON’T BOTHER DENYING HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS BOOK} This was a second chance romance WIN! Dreamy Scottish countryside setting, will-they-won’t-they tension, dual timeline, and all the emotion. Jack & Brooke are captivating! This story is both heartbreaking (yes-I cried) and heartwarming (an HEA that left me giddy).

Jack Sutherland (younger brother to Logan from Kilt Trip) is the sexy, slightly aimless, Scot. The family tourist business isn’t his passion - but nothing else seems to capture his attention- until Brooke Sinclair. Her writing aspirations and determination captivate him. The timing of their first meeting wasn’t ideal - their relationship forbidden, and the fall out was catastrophic. Years later they embark on a cross country hike to capture the heart of Skye Trail, founded by Mhairi McCallister (Jack’s aunt/Brooke’s mentor). It’s a second chance at love and realizing their respective dreams.

I’m determined to find a way to have a booksta meetup in Edinburgh-who’s in??

Recommended to...  
All the second chance romance readers - this one is beautiful.

Thank you so much @akileybooks @canarystreetpress @harlequinbooks for the advance paperback and eARC!

Scot and Bothered is the most fantastic second chance romance, set on the magnificent Isle of Skye.
Brooke and Jack’s unresolved feelings from years ago made for incredible tense pining, full of stolen looks and touches throughout, is everything I want from a second chance. As they navigate the various obstacles of Skye Trail, their bond tentatively reforms, revealing several sweet moments and we get to see both sides of their relationship, now and then.
Mhairi was truly special and I loved how she played a role in bringing them back together. Her influence and wisdom was just as beautiful as the Scottish setting.

This was a deeply emotional journey with a sweet romance amidst the gorgeous Isle of Skye. Just like Kilt Trip, I wouldn’t recommend skipping this one.

A huge thank you to Alexandra Kiley for allowing me to be on her street team for this release, and to HTP Hive and Canary Press for providing me with a digital review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the ARC of Scot and Bothered!

Scot and Bothered is a dual timeline, dual narrated second chance romance. The timelines bounce between Brooke Sinclair and Jack Sutherland's college relationship and seven years later when they are thrown together to work on Jack's aunt's memoir which Brooke is co-writing and Jack is taking photos for after the previous photographer was forced to bail. After some less than stellar feedback of her first draft of the memoir, Brook and her editing team decide the only way she will be able to get to the heart of the book is to hike the trail that Mhairi (Jack's aunt) founded. But she cannot go alone and Jack needs to get the photos for the book so...the two are thrown together against their wills. Can they survive the terrain and being in each other's company?

This was an excellent romance! Jack and Brooke were each fully developed characters in their own right and their unwavering love for Mhairi gave the book its heart. I was definitely in tears by the end. My only complaint was that it felt there was too much drama leading up to why they broke up in college when the basic cause was pretty easy to guess. Once that part of the story finally came out I didn't really care about the reason anymore.

Happy book birthday to Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley! This is the followup to Kilt Trip, this time following older brother Jack Sutherland and his second chance with Brooke Sinclair. They connected back in college, but a friendship-turned-romance ended badly. So badly that Brooke’s dreams of being an author have crumbled. Now she’s a ghostwriter but will get her first on-cover writing credit when she finishes a memoir for her favorite author/professor (and Jack’s aunt), Mhairi. But to do that, she needs to go on a weeklong hike with Jack. A chance for professional advancement, overdue apologies… and maybe a rekindling of what they once had.

Why I Chose This Book:
I adored Kilt Trip and was so ready for Jack’s story! Though Brooke would be a new character, I knew this would be a second-chance romance and I was already rooting for Jack’s HEA. I was on the ARC team for the first book last year, and I was thrilled to join in again for Scot and Bothered.

What I Liked:
- Brooke’s dreams of being an author! Her career so far has been ghostwriting memoirs, and now she’s working as a co-writer on her literary idol’s memoir. But Brooke is aiming to get back to fiction and writing her own stories.
- Representation of anxiety, self-doubt, and writer’s block
- Hiking across Scotland! Tough trails, unpredictable weather, bothersome bugs… but also the friends made along the way
- Only one tent!
- Dual timeline: College romance vs. now
- Getting to know Scotland, both when they were students and now as they hike the trail. Seriously, Scotland is so beautiful; take me there!
- Grappling with loss and grief
- Makes me want to tackle my own travel bucket list as well as my dreams of writing. #inspiring

Final Thoughts
Scot and Bothered is a poignant novel that combines romance with themes of self-discovery and bravery. I adore Jack and Brooke and the love story that unfolds here, both in college and now, seven years later. As with Kilt Trip, this book comes with a dose of heavier topics, including grief, loss, and career issues. It also does a magnificent job of transporting readers to Scotland, from the streets of Edinburgh to the nature of the Highlands. This novel captured my heart, and I already can’t wait for Alexandra Kiley’s next book.

Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley out tomorrow — 5 ⭐️ <3

thank you @canarystreetpress and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for a review 💋

If you’ve been following me, you know how much I loved Alexandra’s debut novel “Kilt Trip”. She instantly became an auto-buy author for me after that one book, and this sophomore novel just cemented that fact further: whatever she writes, I will read and will most definitely end up with the feeling of wishing I would liquify it and ingest it into my bloodstream (is that how that works?).

This is a book for the people who feel stuck even though you know what your passion is; you’re stuck inside of yourself because you can’t seem to decide whether or not you’re good enough. This is for the people who have the worst case of imposter syndrome, who need constant validation, those who have a borderline praise kink that has nothing to do with anything sexual. Spoiler alert: you’re the only one who thinks that. Everyone around you, who knows you, is rooting for you.

Also, Mhairi, I miss you. Please come back. The Marjorie aspect of this book really, Really kicks your ass. I couldn’t love it more if I tried, even if it made me sob so hard I woke up with a headache and had to pop a couple Motrin. But then again, what did I expect going into an Alexandra Kiley book?

I loved this one so much, and I hope you do too! If you’ve read it, please let me know and come talk to me about it. Come talk to me after you’ve read it if you haven’t yet. Sending you all the most love.

I am not usually a fan of second chance romances and I KEEP FINDING REASONS TO READ THEM! And in the case of Scot and Bothered I was so pleasantly surprised that the 2 MCs, after 6 years apart and intense heartbreak they found themselves trapped together in Scotland.

I ansolutely adored that the story follows dual timeline. Theres the before —where Brooke and Jack’s connection first sparks—and the present, where they try and find away to be around each other again. Watching them fall in love again was so real and so raw. I could really relate to both of them at some point or another and it made me want to believe in humanity again. And amongst the climate of the world today that is really saying something.

The slow burn in this book is perfectly paced, sometimes slow burn runs the risk of taking TOO long and losing my interest but this book did it perfectly. allowing us to see them gradually drift back toward each other.

Read this book for:
- Second Chance Romance
-Forced proximity
-Set in Scotland
-Dual Timeline
-Only one tent!
Slow burn to spicy

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Canary Street Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this eARC!

Oh man, this story of second chance romance was one for the heartstrings! Jack and Brooke have been on a long journey of finding not only who they have a chance to be as a couple, but also, who they are as individuals.

When Brook and Jack first meet, the sparks are flying, but little do they know, they will have to keep those sparks dimmed because their professional situation may not allow them to fall in love out loud. As we all know, secret love interests never end well for all those involved and Brook and Jack are no different.

When they are forced into a journey together, both trying to prove themselves professionally and to themselves, this might just be their chance to get it right. This journey of second chance love is heartwarming, heartbreaking, enlightening and just overall a beautiful journey I was so happy and delighted to be a part of!

Amazing, it’s so cute and funny. I love the Scottish setting, it brings me back to my roots. I’m so glad I was approved for this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this!

A charming follow-up to Kilt Trip - I was excited to travel back to Kiley's Scotland. I loved the dual timeline nature and learning more about the characters past coupled with their current day. I thought this was a really well done rendition of second change (from someone who doesn't always love the genre) and I fell in love with the characters! Definitely recommend.

The Kilt Trip was one of my favorite books from last year, so I was beyond excited for this second installment in the series. I loved the setting (hiking/camping through Scotland), the poignant tale of grief, and the second chance aspect (that always gets me). For me, it didn’t quite live up to the first one, mostly because the “then” part of the dual timeline was rather frustrating — they were both idiots! — but on the whole this was a touching, complex, and very sweet romance.

4 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Loved Scot and Bothered! I loved the main characters of Brooke and Jack. But the side characters of Mhari and their friends add so much depth to the storyline, both the past and present timelines. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, NetGalley and the author for this ARC!

This was such a good second chance romance! I absolutely love this trope and the author did it fantastically! I love the way that the author gave the history of Brooke and Jack, and then their history of complicated circumstances was explained. This novel overall was sooo good and had me hooked quickly. I felt like it compares to a warm hug on a rough day, and definitely gave the feel good feelings like old romance movies!

Highly recommend this one!

I was so excited to read this book. I love European settings. The scenery was not discussed ….it was assumed we knew what Edinburgh is like. I understand the story does not have anything to do with the scenery and the characters were the main focus. The characters were developed and relatable. I was rooting for them to get back together. The book is predictable and very much a slow burn. Scot and Bothered was a sweet and cozy love story through the ages unfortunately parts of the story will not be memorable to me.

Consider me a believer in a second chance at love…Brooke and Jack made mistakes and will most likely continue to make them, but perhaps they’d get a chance to do that together. How sweet is that?! After having to divert her dream seven years ago, Brooke finds herself back in Scotland as a ghostwriter. Her old flame, Jack, is the photographer for the memoir Brooke is helping write. Told in a then and now format with both PoV, their hard earned journey to a second chance at romance is full of truths revealed and trust regained, a bit of spice, heartache and healing, all with a beautiful setting.

A second chance romance that also offers a second chance at choosing what path you want to take in life…while also quite literally happening on a path!!

Brooke Sinclair, an American ex-pat living in Edinburgh, has always dreamed of being a writer- and now she’s somewhat there with a thriving ghostwriting career (but does it make her happy?). In the midst of writing a memoir with her mentor/favorite teacher/founder of a famous trail on Isle of Skye, she’s offered a chance to explore that trail with her mentor’s nephew Jack…with whom she shares a fraught past…and who has found his path in life and is so much more assured (and handsome) than he even was before.

Brooke and Jack take the week on Skye to figure out themselves, reevaluate their relationship, and ponder what their futures could hold. I found this book deeply introspective and a great exploration of what it means to chase your dreams or sell out, to choose yourself and your happiness or choose security even if it doesn’t spark joy. Does success mean anything if you don’t get to have happiness and fulfillment? Does any of it matter if you’re standing alone at the end of the day? This book posits no, and for that, I am in total agreement!

Thank you so much to Alexandra Kiley and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

I got to a little more than halfway and realized that I still had no idea what was going on. I couldn’t for the life of me tell you what the main characters names are. It just didn’t seem to hook me the way that I wanted it to. I feel guilty DNF’ing but it just wasn’t hooking me the way I was hoping it would.

4.5

Scot and Bothered is Alexandra Kiley's sophomore novel and I had so much fun with it!

Scot and Bothered follows Brooke and Jack as they travel across the Skye Trail in Scotland. This story jumps back and forth between two timelines - the past, when Brooke is in undergrad at the University of Edinburgh and Jack is there for grad school, and the present when Brooke and Jack are forced into hiking the Skye Trail to complete their respective jobs for Jack's Aunt's upcoming memoir.

Brooke is currently a ghostwriter and is given the opportunity by Mhairi (Jack's Aunt) to help co-write her memoir, which would be the first time Brooke's name is put on the cover of a book. Jack kinda works for his family's tour guide company but has mostly committed to photography and trying to get his work in galleries.

In the past, the reader is taken on a journey through Brooke and Jack's original college relationship. These two had some major chemistry in college but things are complicated when they realize that Brooke is in a class that Jack is co-TAing for. The past plotline follows their struggles with their friendship, the knowledge they both want something romantic, and the issues that would come about if they tried to start something while Brooke and Jack are technically in a student/teacher relationship.

Back in the present, things are a lot more tense! Brooke despises Jack and doesn't want to spend days hiking with him, but is also aware that the hike isn't something she could do herself. Jack is much more open to trying to figure things out between them - to try and get to a place where they could try a romantic relationship.


I really enjoyed the way Alexandra Kiley jumped back and forth between the two timelines. I read a book earlier this year where the past timeline was NOT in chronological order and now I am so much more appreciative when books can do this successfully for the reader! It really helps show the true progression of characters relationships and stories. I think a lot of second-chance romances that have dual timeline can also struggle with balancing where the action is occurring. I think that was a con of Scot and Bothered. It felt like there was a lot more action occurring on page in the past, the present was a lot more of an emotional character journey - which is fine, I just think there could have been more of a balance between the two. Another thing that was kind of a detriment, Jack is the brother to Logan, Alexandra's MMC in her first book. I wish this had been marketed as a sequel because I wish I had known to go back and reread "Kilt Trip" so I could have had a bit more context towards Jack's role in the family business. I do think "Scot and Bothered" technically stands alone and doesn't Need to be read in order, but I'm sure Jack has appearances in Kilt Trip that would have given him a bit more ooomph in this story if I had read them closer to one another.

im gonna have to dnf this one :( i didn’t connect with the characters early enough and by the time we were halfway through, i still didn’t feel like i knew them or why i was rooting for them to get together. i feel like it’s a bit of a slower burn in the present timeline, and the past pov could have been more enjoyable (for me personally) as flashbacks to help us stay in the present and develop them further.

The writing was so good! The vulnerability of the MCs was heartwarming. This was a very well done second chance romance set in Scotland, I loved a Scottish setting.

Alexandra Kiley’s ability to write descriptions that make me feel everything is exceptional. As a reader that does not visualize, this is important to my enjoyment of a story. As I embarked on my journey through Skye, I felt like I was there experiencing everything that Brooke and Jack experienced; I guess it helps that I have visited Scotland before. This book has reignited my desire to do so, so that I may see some of which I had not seen before but felt through this journey.
This story is told with dual perspectives and dual timelines. The chemistry between Jack and Brooke in both timelines is tangible. I could feel the desire in the past and the hurt laced with longing in the present. The story is a slow burn, both in the journey and the rekindling of the romance, with significant character development. While typically I would be turned off by the miscommunication trope, Alexandra handles this with care and in a way made it necessary; the characters were young and had a lot of growing up to do. There is still so much growth that both characters need to undergo in the present in order to heal, especially Brooke. Both of the main characters have expectations from others and of themselves that they must overcome come in order to truly embrace their lives and each other.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that has longed to visit Scotland, or would like to return, and to those that like a heartbreaking story with puzzle pieces being reassembled into what could only be described as fate.
Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing (Canary Street Press), NetGalley, and Alexandra Kiley for a digital early copy of the book. The opinions expressed are honestly and my own.