One of THE best second chance love stories done to absolute perfection!!

I throughly enjoyed this book. I liked the raw and realness in relationships that Alexandra’s writing captured. Jack and Brooke’s story felt very believable and genuine.

The story has dual timelines and two POVs. We follow Jack and Brooke’s story with their time at University set in Edinburgh, Scotland. They meet at a party and over time develop a forbidden relationship because of their positions at university.

Present day is the two of them forced on this hiking adventure. Brooke is writing a memoir for her idol and former professor. Jack is taking pictures for the book. There is angst from the past, banter, and thick tension.

I loved how Jack and Brooke constantly supported each other’s dreams and always encouraged the other to chase after them and to never settle. They both kind of settled into comfortability in their lives, before this journey they set out on together. Through close proximity they eventually break and confide in each other again. I loved that their story was full of mistakes and realness.

The other character that was beautifully captured was Mhairi. She was both Jack and Brooke’s idol/hero. She seemed larger than life and someone who you would want in your corner.

What a beautiful story full of dreaming, realness, mistakes, and second chances!


Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC, in exchanged for my honest review!

★★★★★(4.5 rounded up for the execution Kiley brings to the ending)
Scot and Bothered (Alexandra Kiley - releasing 03.04.2025)
e-ARC Book Review

✧ Read with me ✧ Instagram ✧| @haileydianereads

A massive thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, and Alexandra Kiley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest book review! 🥰🙌

“Take a chance on yourself. Trust that the thing you love will take you where you need to be.” 🥾📷

“After this year, life will no longer have a syllabus, there will be no grades to measure your success. You will have to define that for yourself.” 👩‍🏫📝

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy…
Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye
Second chances trope
“Then” and “Now” chapters
Academia stories
Love and admiration in many different forms
Forced proximity and complicated pasts

First, I want to acknowledge that I am the PERFECT reader for this plot. I am the target audience and an emotion-driven reader. I have a wonderful relationship with my college advisor and owe her so much. Scotland has been one of my favorite places to travel to and I love when a book brings me to tears. Now, I will say that even with those things being true, I really do believe Alexandra Kiley wrote this story so beautifully. I went on a rollercoaster of emotions, with tears in my eyes at times, while reading this novel. This was such an unexpected adventure!

RATING SYSTEM: I rate my books by 5 literary element groupings: plot and pacing, characters and development, setting and world building, dialogue and writing style. See below for a full review:

📖Plot and Pacing
There is so much to love about this story. It’s packed with lessons on the many different forms of love, heart-wrenching grief, owning one’s truths, finding courage after your life has been altered and coming to terms with things that have been lost. Brooke is a ghostwriter who never envisioned the life she is living. She had other plans and was so close to everything she had worked so hard to accomplish. Jack is a photographer who is finally starting to find his footing. He had started to finally believe in his dream and took a chance by leaving what was easy, but not his passion. After years of separation and heartache due to mistakes back in college, Brooke and Jack are reunited as they both find themselves working on Professor Mhairi McCallister’s memoir and the daunting task of hiking the Isle of Skye together to finish the project for a woman they both admire. I was immersed in this book from the first chapter, but I did feel like the pacing was a bit slow. Most likely, this was due to the way the story is told in dual timelines making the “Now” story feel slower. Ultimately, by the end of the book, I really appreciated the writing and “Then” and “Now” storytelling. I just needed time to adapt.

🧞‍♀️Characters and Development
I loved all of the characters in this story. When we meet Brooke at the beginning of the story, she’s lost her confidence and is struggling with what comes next. As the story progresses, we see Brooke really rediscover herself and the confidence that she entered college with all those years ago. More than that, we get to go on this journey with her as she learns some valuable lessons about life outside of the checklist she measures herself against. Jack’s character is a bit more reserved, but you can tell he has a passion for his art. I love that Jack and Brooke are in different places with their careers and goals. I don’t want to spoil the book, but it’s evident that they have both impacted each other’s lives, even after all the time that has passed between them. Mhairhi reminded me of multiple mentors in my life and I could see myself being as excited as Brooke was to spend time learning from her.

🌇Setting and World Building
You really can’t ask for more scenic descriptions than what Kiley delivers. This is a book that I am sure would be a delight to listen to and close your eyes to imagine all the natural beauty that Scotland has to offer. I’m not particularly outdoorsy, but even I wanted to slip on a pair of hiking boots and hit the trail! It can’t be lost on readers that Kiley’s dedication to perfecting the setting is complementary to Jack’s longing to tell stories through his photography.

🗣️Dialogue
While this book has a little less dialogue than I typically crave, the dialogue that did make it into the novel feels very genuine and honest. The conversations took me through a lot of different emotions through the course of the novel. It was enjoyable to see the characters change over time, but also hold on to the pieces of themselves that make them exactly who they are at their core. During the “Then” chapters, I found myself frustrated with the two main characters, but only because they were young and making mistakes. I found myself pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the introspection this book offered. Ultimately, I think the decision to have a little less said between the characters does feel like the right tone given the second-chance trope.

📝Writing Style
I’m not quite sure how Kiley managed to write the exciting “falling head over heels” coupled with the present heartbreak of the story’s main characters, but she does it so well. The dual timelines tell two different stories and the intersection and placement of those chapters is flawless. I found myself wanting more and more of the “Now” chapters, but I believe it’s because the “Then” chapters were written to add more layers to their history together. I was eager to finish the book because I wanted to see how both their past and present unfolded.

❉BONUS❉: Emotional Connection
Spoiler ahead……..

I appreciate a book so much more when an author manages to convey the heart of human emotions. Kiley executes what it’s like to hold grief and gratitude in your body at the same time. Having experienced unanticipated loss, you’re never prepared for that news and when you aren’t “family” - things (and feelings) can get complicated. This was a story that felt very similar to my own lived experiences and I think it was written with so much care.

😤The Flaws
I really only had two flaws with this book. First, I know it’s a pun and that the author likely didn’t have final say (the publishing world is a wild place), but I hate the title of this book. The playfulness of the title does not reflect the incredible writing within its chapters. This story is such an emotional ride, but the title really distracts from all the layers. Second, I wanted to know more about what (and how) exactly Brooke has been up to, outside of ghostwriting, for the last seven years. As an American who has looked into immigration laws in multiple countries, it feels like a plot hole that should’ve been addressed. Ghostwriting can happen across the globe. Honestly, this might just be my jealousy of this fantasy character’s ability to stay in Scotland, but I would’ve liked to know what she was doing with her time and more about why she didn’t return home after such a career devastating set-back.

All this to say… I’m excited to go back and read Kilt Trip and head back to Skye!

Gratitude, always.
- H.

Thank you, Bonnier Books and Alexandra Kiley, for granting me a Netgalley digital arc of Scot and Bothered. I'm really excited to be part of the street team for this book and share an early review to tell all of Bookstagram how epic this book is!

Scot and Bothered is a second-chance romance bringing together two characters, Jack and Brooke, whose breakup at university ended painfully with a betrayal that impacted them both. Reunited, they must work together on an eventful hiking trip full of ups and downs on the trails of Isle of Skye to create a memoir worthy of a person beloved by both of them.

Alexandra Kiley writes incredible love stories that have multifaceted layers of profound themes and blends rich emotion and humour. The storytelling behind this second-chance romance is rich, vibrant, and strikingly beautiful with description. The story is depicted through dual timelines that show Brooke and Jack falling in love in the past and present. The transitions between the different timeline chapters were seamless and smooth, keeping in time with the engaging pace of the story. Her characters are rich personalities with plenty of baggage that makes them leap off the page and worm their way into your heart.

The slow-burn romance perfectly gives Jack and Brooke the time to break down their barriers, have honest, heartfelt conversations, and show each other how they have changed in their lives since the terrible events that tore them apart. On their journey, in close proximity, Jack and Brooke are forced to confront their painful past and their unresolved feelings to overcome the animosity between them in order to work together. In the backdrop of the majesty landscape of Skye, they slowly remember why they fell in love as they share their frustrations, pain, and regrets; the connection between them is rekindled and brings closure to old wounds that allow them to move forward together.

I've only got one niggle for this book, and it was the university expelling Brooke for having a secret relationship with Jack, her tutor. Yeah, it's probably not a good idea, but I saw it twice, and both universities handled it well and sorted out the issues. One was an American scholarship student (and she was not kicked out). It's fiction, and without this soul-crushing event, the story would not be the same without this dramatic incident. However, it twists my gut that I know most universities in Scotland would not react with such a draconian attitude.

An immersive romance read that sweeps you off on an adventure for the chance to fall in love again in the wilds of Skye with lots of fun moments, flirty banter, reflection about life's journey, and a sweet, spicy romance. If you love Scottish vibes and romance, this is an absolutely must-read series for any romance reader who dreams of sexy Scottish guys!

This was a heartwarming story of 2 people--Jack and Brooke--who found their way back to each other. Friends who became lovers.....who then became enemies....back to friends.....then back to lovers! Forced to spend time together after 7 years of not speaking, they navigated a trail through a part of Scotland that was very special to both of them. While on this adventure, they had to sort through their feelings, reconciling both past and present. Of course, the HEA I was hoping for, but not without some sadness when they both lose someone very special to them. I enjoyed reading between the past and present as it helped give a little more perspective into the thoughts and feelings Jack and Brooke were having.

I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Thank you Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Alexandra Kiley

I just finished an ARC of Scot and Bothered with tears streaming down my face. Alexandra Kiley has wrecked me in the best possible way. I want to read Brooke’s book, buy Jack’s stunning photos, and hop the first flight to the Highlands to hike the Skye Trail I want to go back to the beginning and savor this reading journey all over again. I won’t be forgetting these characters anytime soon.

Don’t miss this beautifully written, deeply emotional story. It publishes March 4, 2025.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley.

4.25 ⭐️
Scot and Bothered was an incredible read. Jack and Brooke were incredibly relatable and deep characters. I loved seeing their story come together both from their time in the past and in the present as well. It all fit together like a perfect puzzle.
What really made this book come to life though was the descriptions of the setting. I found myself immersed in the Scottish landscape and it made me feel homesick for a place I’d never been before. This book made me want to plan a trip to Skye… and I just might.

This book follows Jack Sutherland, the younger brother of Logan, one of the main characters in Kilt Trip, and Brooke Sinclair, in a second chance romance. I normally love second chance trope, but this one was just okay in my opinion. Still worth the read.

Brooke is a ghostwriter who once had dreams of being an author of her own stories. She's working on the memoir of her idol, Mhairi McCallister, Jack Sutherland's aunt, Brooke's former professor, and the founder of a hiking trail on the Isle of Skye. Jack has always been the black sheep of his tour guiding family, but decides to finally pursue his dream of being a nature photographer. When Brooke is told she needs to engage in some re-writes of the memoir, she decides to hike the Isle of Skye and surprise, the nature photographer who agrees to help photograph the trail for the book is none other than Jack, Brooke's ex-boyfriend and the guy who ruined her career. The story is told from dual-POV, and also "then" and "now" chapters, flashing back to when Jack and Brooke met at the University of Edinburgh, when Brooke was aiming for a prestigious fellowship with Mhairi and Jack was in the MBA program and also one of the TAs of Brooke's class (uh oh!). They decide to try to hide a relationship despite the university's rules and you can see how things go downhill from there.

The description of the beautiful scenery of Scotland, particularly Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye, is definitely a strong point of this book. There was a good deal of angst at least at first between Brooke and Jack, of course, and the challenges of hiking the trail. Jack is also keeping a secret from Brooke that his aunt, Mhairi, her idol and the subject of the memoir has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and doesn't have much longer to live.

I think I have two main issues with this story where it fell flat for me. Jack and Brooke meet at university and are like instantly in love basically. They can't stay away from each other for even a semester while Jack is Brooke's TA, which is what causes Jack to be expelled from the MBA program and Brooke to have to drop out of university when she loses her scholarship when she's told she has to drop the class and re-take it due to their policies regarding student relationships. FAIR, to be quite honest. And the way these characters think about each other almost feels obsessive at certain points, because there's zero clarity that in the seven-year gap after they separated that these characters moved on at all from where they were in university, other than their respective dreams being somewhat crushed. It was too insta-lovey for me, and the "hatred" that Brooke has for Jack (which....is practically nonexistent) doesn't last long enough for someone who had to drop out of school and not graduate because of him.

And the other big issue (spoilers). The reason for the blow up is that Mhairi, Brooke's idol and Jack's aunt, herself a professor at the University of Edinburgh, finds out about the relationship when Jack decides to bring Brooke home to meet his parents (because of course!!) And she's ethically obligated to report the relationship apparently. But instead of telling Brooke all of this, what Mhairi told Jack, Jack unilaterally goes to the dean of the school to report the relationship without telling Brooke!!! Like hello? Why on earth wouldn't you tell her that Mhairi forced your hand? Even if it caused a break up she might not hate you? Like the news would come out anyway? Jack could plausibly put some of the blame on Mhairi? It's just so ridiculous, and such an absurd plot point. It's hard to swallow.

I love Jack as a character. He's so sensitive, kinda broody, hot of course. I loved reading about Scotland. Having been to the Isle of Skye myself, it's truly magnificent and stunning and I appreciated the way the author wrote about these places. But the foregoing issues weren't enough to bump this up to a higher rating for me.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for letting me read this book early. All thoughts are my own!

Grief!! Self discovery!! Sell acceptance!! This book is full of so much emotion! I really enjoyed those aspects of it, and I really love the way it was all written. I adored Mhairi so much. I loved how connected she was to Jack and Brooke. Her individual relationship to both of them was the best part of this book.

Brooke is writing Mhairi’s memoir, and Jack is taking pictures for it. Together they form a team of three that cared so deeply for each other and built each other up. They all believed in each other so strongly, and they were constantly pushing each other to go for what they wanted. I loved their little circle of family.

The romance is like fine?

I feel like because there was alternating timelines and points of view, with every chapter jumping around, it was hard to really feel connected to their relationship. We got glimpses. I could tell from the way it was written that they cared deeply for each other, but I was not feeling a strong connection as the reader. There was a lot of nostalgic focus on their relationship in college and not enough relearning each other as adults. I feel like they didn’t change at all. They were constantly talking about how much they know and remember about each other, but I would’ve loved to see them learn new things about each other now.

I would’ve liked for them to resolve what happened in college before they tried again as adults, instead of only talking about it after they fought after their trip. They don’t ever really talk about what happened to cause the conflict from before. They just decide to try being together again, but they didn’t even talk about the reason they weren’t together for the last however many years. I know they loved each other and knew each other better than anyone else, but I honestly think they would’ve been better off as friends.

I will definitely read more from this author because I love the way she writes.

⭐️: 3.75/5
🌶️: 1.5/5

To preface this, I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so I had really high expectations going in. I’m going to start with the main thing I didn’t like so we can end with all the good! This is probably something that’s just me, but I was missing some heat or urgency with the book. The name “Scot and Bothered” made me think there would be a lot more steamy tension, and I understood that this was second chance “enemies” to lovers. But because the spice was so tame (I think we got one steam scene and then a little innuendo?), and because the “enemies” was more of a misunderstanding that got resolved too quickly, I marked this down.

Now, the things I did like. Let’s even say love, because Kiley is amaaaaaazing with the setting. She writes Scotland so vividly that I had no trouble seeing the setting as I was reading the whole time. I can’t speak to accuracy, as I’m not Scottish, but I felt like I was there. I also really liked the main character’s development. The FMC’s personal journey outside of her romance was compelling and relatable.

For the romance, at first I didn’t love the pacing, because we don’t find out why the characters have beef with each other until later on, but the flashbacks turned around my opinion because we did get to see a wealth of development along the extended timeline, and it helped things come together for the pair. And who doesn’t love an HEA?

Overall, I did enjoy this a lot!

Reading this book is like taking a tour of Scotland! I really enjoyed reading Jack and Brooke's story as they work to reconcile their past and face the reality of their futures while also learning more about the landscape and history on the Isle of Skye.

Jack and Brooke first met at University when he was a TA for one of her classes. Jack was in business school to please his father who wanted him to follow in his brother's footsteps helping out their family business, while Brooke had her sights set on becoming a published author. From the start they realize they have a connection, but they're forced to keep their relationship secret to not violate University rules.

The story alternates between the "now" and "then" timeline, and the reader is slowly informed on how Jack and Brooke navigated their relationship while they were in school - and ultimately how it ended. Seven years later they find themselves meeting again as Brooke is helping Jack's aunt write a memoir that includes her experience founding a trail on the Isle of Skye. The memoir is incomplete, however, and his aunt suggests that Brooke hike the trail for inspiration as Jack tags along to take photos.

With a sour ending to their relationship years ago, Jack and Brooke have no choice but to face the past and their own internal struggles that got them where they are today.

I felt like the character development was very realistic. I think their banter could have been a little more casual, but ultimately it fit the writing style. I think the conflict at the end was partly unnecessary and was a little rushed, but the ending was brought together nicely. Overall this was a fun read and sweet story with two great characters.

I really enjoyed Kilt Trip when I read it last year, and was so excited and grateful to have the opportunity to read and review Scot and Bothered before its release.
One thing that Alexandra Kiley does even better in this book than the previous one is bring the setting to life and make you want to experience it for yourself. It was lovely to experience that as a reader alongside of watching the FMC attempt to do the same while cowriting her mentor's memoir. Brooke and Jack are well-formed, flawed people who I was rooting for the whole way. Though I tend to not like dual-timeline books I found myself deeply invested in both story arcs, and I wanted to give this book four stars so badly. However, one of the ways I evaluate a book for my own enjoyment is how forgivable is whatever mistake happened to create conflict in the first place. In this instance, regardless of intent, I don't think a reasonable person would have been able to forgive Jack for the way his mistakes effected Brooke's path.

Oh my heart! What an emotional second chance romance by Alexandra Kiley.

Read this for:
- Hate to love from her
- Forced proximity
- He's gone for her
- Only one tent AND only one bed
- Second chance
- Workplace

Brooke Sinclair has no love or even like for her ex Jack Sutherland who ruined their past relationship and her career. Unfortunately, she is stuck traveling across Scotland with said ex to help take photographs while she writes her mentor's memoir.

Jack Sutherland has so many regrets from his past with Brooke. He still can't figure out the direction for his own career, and now he's thrown in the path of the one that got away.

The way Alexandra is able to describe this journey and mirror the treacherous path with the journey the two ex lovers take is so powerful. You find yourself immersed in the lands of Scotland, while also trying to uncover the deep seeded wounds between Brooke and Jack.

HOLY ANGST! There is so much angst and tension that is so intense between the two of them. Their history is revealed slowly piece by piece as we take this journey with them in their present. The flashbacks were provided in tandem with the current journey and it was such a ride to be on. We had the present day tension, the extreme conditions of the hiking they were on and the past relationship all burning up the pages. It was such an emotional, angsty ride that burns up the pages!

Both Brooke and Jack had their own issues and challenges that were still there from when they were previously together. It took them coming back together to help each other push past what was holding things back for each one of them.

I thought this was a beautiful depiction of a real second chance, but also second chances for each individual character to live out their life and dreams how they truly desired.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC copy. All opinions are my own.

This was really fun, and I really love that it was set in Scotland! The characters were great, and I could feel the tension between them in the beginning. There were quite a few secrets being kept… Not exactly my favorite thing to see, but I knew some of it was for good reason… I really enjoyed it, and will keep it in mind when recommending books!

Thank you for allowing me to read an ARC!

THE YEARNING. This book is so angsty and wonderful. I loved the longing looks and stolen touching. This story is told between when Brook and Jack first get together 7 years ago and present day. Both timelines are full of delicious pining. The way they support and calm each other felt so grounded in real life. I could feel these characters coming to life. The angst of them wanting to be with each other was tangible, that feeling of want was a whole separate character in this book.

The other big character in this story is Scotland. I loved the history and landscapes that are described throughout the story. Jack's family owns a tour company and has grown up learning the lore of the land. He uses this lore and history to not just woo Brooke but also bring the setting of Scotland to life. I felt like I was with them on their hike.

One of the only reasons this wasn't a five-star read for me was Brooke didn't feel fully fleshed out. We get this really rich backstory for Jack with his family and their expectations. But Brooke doesn't really get the same treatment. We get some background on her parents also being outdoorsy and really supportive, but wouldn't they have had some concerns with their daughter not completing her degree in another country? Also, when she doesn't finish her degree how can she even stay in the country? She isn't from Scotland. These two big questions just irked me. It felt like a miss on some character development.

If you want a quick longing romance, this is the book for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

A second chance at love while hiking on the Isle of Skye, count me in. A clever fun for the title, say no more.

Scot and Bothered is the second book from Alexandra Kiley and is interconnected with her first book, Kilt Trip. I found Kiley by a stroke of good luck and I am so glad I did. She does a wonderful job of immersing her reader in the world her characters are traversing.

Our MMC is Jack Sutherland (brother of Logan from Kilt Trip) who is a photographer and works for his family's tour business, Heart of the Highlands, though he wants so much more. Our FMC is Brooke Sinclair, an ex-pat who has called Scotland her home for 10 years, is a ghostwriter and is working on co-writing a biography with her mentor Mhairi.

While I don't read them often, this second change romance was so great I might seek out more of them. It has been 7 years since things went south for Jack and Brooke. Though there was strong love between the two, the consequences of their relationship could not be stopped. When Brooke is told by her editor that the biography she is working on needs more heart, she decides to hike a trail through Scotland, a trail established by her mentor Mhairi. A grand adventure to be sure until someone from her past walks into her life again, Jack. Jack will serve as the photographer to bring her story to life...

The imagery is wonderful and I often found myself stopping to look up the locations they were traveling through. I must say that I really want to visit Scotland now.

Tropes:
*Second Chance Romance
*Only one (bed) tent
*Forced Proximity
*Secret relationship

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.

Who knew I was a RomCom girl? I've added so many genres to my tastes lately that, when people ask me what kinds of books I like, I'll say, YES. And I might just put RomCom toward the top. This book came at the perfect time, giving me characters I wanted to be and be with. I giggled several times and even teared up. This author got me in all the good places I want to be when I read. I wasn't expecting steaminess and haven't read anything steamy in a while, but I didn't hate it, either. 😉 And
now that the book is over, I miss these characters! Alex, bring me a sequel, stat!

3 ⭐️ dual timeline, dual POV, second chance romance! It’s also a slow burn so set your expectations. I really loved the imagery in this book, but felt like something was missing in their love story.

This ARC was a 3/5 ⭐️. It was a cute 2nd chance romance. Like that there was forced proximity for the 2nd chance. The then to now chapters really helped give you a basis on how life was and how it is now. All in all it was a good book. I personally wasn’t pulled in by the characters but I liked the plot and think that if people like 2nd chance romances this would be up their alley.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for providing me an eARC for review.

This is a second chance, slow burn, dual POV, dual timeline romance. The Scottish scenery felt alive and I instantly felt connected to the trail and island. The writing is wonderful and I felt like I was on this trip with Brooke and Jack.

I feel that this story felt a bit flat and rushed to me. It felt like something was missing from the story to tie it all together.
I didn't feel the connection between the 2 MMC's and didn't feel the 'inta-love' as described. There were some inconsistencies and missing pieces that really distracted from the story and left me wanting more. If you can overlook these shortcomings, it is an enjoyable story or first loves that you never really got over.
If you are coming for a light-hearted rom-com, this might not be the book for you.

Publication Date: March 4, 2025.

I enjoyed this book!

This is a dual-timeline second chance romance, where the FMC and MMC have to hike together to do research for a memoir. It is connected to Kiley's first book, Kilt Trip, but can be read as a standalone.

I enjoyed all of the details about places and scenery in Scotland. The setting felt immersive, and I found myself looking up flights to Scotland while I read. I did find it challenging to parse out the meaning of some of the dialogue that used Scottish vernacular, but it made me very excited to hear this one on audio with a Scottish narrator!

Thank you so much to Alexandra Kiley and Canary Street Press/HTP for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review!