I really wanted to love this one since I love the setting but it just didn't hook me in the second half. I liked the flashbacks to college days but had a hard time keeping track of the side characters. I loved some of the tropes (let's go only one tent) but there was just too much miscommunication that was frustrating.

ARC Review: Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley
Pub Date: March 4th

Thank you to Canary Street Press for the eARC and for @just_talking_to_myshelf and @bookswithnopictures for including me on the #justtalkingtomybooks traveling ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Listen, we all know that I love Scotland. It's the place I think about running away to when the world...well *gestures around* - I loved the authors last book so I was so excited when I heard about this one! It definitely made me want to run away to Scotland even more - I've thought for a long time about doing the West Highland Walk which is mentioned in this book. The characters here do a trek on the Isle of Skye which is a place I've been to!

Brooke is an expat who has lived in Scotland ever since attending University. She's working as a ghost writer and dreaming about writing her own stories some day. She is helping her mentor Mhairi with her biography when they realize that the biography needs something more - namely, Brooke needs to hike the Skye trail that Mhairi created with some friends. Mhairi also suggests that the photographer comes along on Brooke's trek. Little does Brooke know that Mhairi's nephew Jack is the photographer...the same Jack that she had a relationship with in University that came with some very unintended consequences. Brooke doesn't believe she can ever forgive Jack but begrudgingly agrees to the trip which causes old feelings to flare up.

Listen, flashbacks and second chance aren't usually my favorite things in books, but they do really work for the story here! The flashbacks aren't every chapter but do tell the chronological story of their first attempt at a (forbidden) relationship. Having that context is important and the reason for the breakup makes sense. Jack clearly is pining over Brooke in both timelines, even if she can't see it. The story is emotional and so incredibly heartfelt - the relationship is believable and Jack is pretty darn swoony!

A standalone novel from the same setting as Kilt Trip, this book focuses on Jack (a burgeoning photographer and Logan’s brother) and Brooke (an expat writer). The two main characters are working on a book for Mhairi, who is Jack’s aunt and Brooke’s college mentor and idol.

I enjoyed the description of their Scottish trek and how they rediscovered each other while contributing in their own ways to the memoir. The dual time line slowly shows how their first time together developed and then quickly unraveled and how, seven years later, they still have unresolved feelings for each other. The pacing was a bit off with a slow build and the ending a bit rushed.

Thank you Canary Street Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

This is a story of second chances at life and love. Brooke and Jack had an instant connection but not trusting each other shattered not only the relationship but also Brooke’s dream. Now she is working on a project that could put her back on the path to achieving her dream and Jack is a part of the project. Can they trust each other this time with their secrets and their hearts? There is so much I love about this book! Told from both points of view and switching between the past and the present allowed me to understand what was going on and how each of the character’s was feeling. It is set in Scotland, largely on the Skye Trail, and now I want to visit there. IThe situations on the trail at times made me giggle and at times made my heart ache with the beauty and emotion of it all. The connection between Brooke and Jack is so strong I could feel it through the pages. I liked Brooke and could identify with her insecurities especially when it came to taking the risk to make her dream a reality. Jack had his own insecurities and I like that in a MMC, I think it makes the character more realistic. All in all I found this an engaging story of second chances, learning to trust, and having the courage to follow your dream. I highly recommend it.

It sure did feel good to be back in a book written by Alexandra Kiley. Scot and Bothered was such a sweet, wanderlusty, emotional story. Second chance romance is my favorite trope and I adored this book.

I loved the depth of the relationships between Brooke, Jack, and Mhairi. I loved the mentor/family connections. You could tell how much she meant to Jack and Brooke, and her encouragement and wisdom helped develop their characters exponentially. This added a layer of connection between Jack and Brooke that I found to be really sweet and tender, and made the ending of this story even more emotional.

Brooke and Jack’s personal and professional growth was well thought out and I enjoyed how both of their careers weaved back into their love story. It gave it more depth and helped us connect to both Jack and Brooke.

I typically don’t love flashbacks because I get confused on timelines easily but these flashbacks were seamless and I thought holding the “what happened” between Brooke and Jack until the end was a great choice. It added a little suspense and we got to see how their past affected their present, and how it eventually helped them overcome their obstacles.

I’m a total sucker for a book with a whimsical travel vibe, and this is what I absolutely adore about Alexandra Kiley’s books. I relate hardcore to being an American who falls deeply in love with Scotland, and reading her books puts me right back to one of my favorite places in the world. We got to go on a hike through Scottish nature and saw a lot of Edinburgh as well!

All of the things I just mentioned lead to an absolutely swoon-worthy romance. The second chance. The pining. And we got to see it all happen TWICE! It’s awesome when you can really, truly root for characters to find their way back to one another.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin- Canary Street Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

What I Loved: Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Second-Chance Romance Set Against the Stunning Scottish Highlands

From the very first page, Scot and Bothered pulled me into its sweeping, emotional journey—one that perfectly balances the past and present with the breathtaking backdrop of Scotland’s rugged beauty.

✨ The Flashbacks Were Seamless & Powerful
One of the standout elements of this book was how beautifully Alexandra Kiley wove flashbacks into the present-day story. Each glimpse into Brooke and Jack’s past deepened the tension, their unresolved heartbreak, and the undeniable chemistry that still simmers between them. Every moment felt intentional, adding layers to their relationship and making their second-chance romance feel all the more raw and real.

✨ The Push and Pull Between Two People Who Still Love Each Other
Jack and Brooke’s journey—both physically and emotionally—is full of aching tension. You feel their history in every interaction, every stolen glance, and every hesitation to bridge the gap that time and heartbreak have created. They both desperately want to heal, to find a way back to each other, but they don’t know how. That struggle felt so authentic, making every step of their journey toward reconciliation feel earned.

✨ Scotland Is Practically a Character Itself
The setting was absolutely stunning. The descriptions of the Skye Trail, the vast landscapes, and the quiet, soul-searching moments in nature added so much depth to the story. It wasn’t just a backdrop—it was a force that pushed these two characters together, making them confront their past and their deepest emotions.

✨ Emotional, Tender, and Hopeful
At its heart, this is a story about love, loss, and the courage to fight for a second chance. Jack and Brooke’s pain is palpable, but so is their longing. And watching them navigate their past mistakes and find their way back to each other was nothing short of beautiful.

If you love second-chance romance, breathtaking settings, and an emotional journey that sticks with you long after the last page, Scot and Bothered is a must-read. 💙

Scot and Bothered 💚
by Alexandra Kiley

3⭐️
Scot and Bothered is a second chance romance , set in beautiful Scotland.
The story follows Brooke & Jack as they tried to reconnect on Scotland’s Skye Trail to try and write the memoirs of Jack’s deceased Aunt and Brooke’s mentor.
I just love Alexandra Kiley’s vivid description of the Scottish Highlands , it really makes you feel like you are apart of the beautiful world she describes!
But unfortunately I felt no connection to the characters in this book this time around.
To me I think the duel timeline/ past and present aspect really had me confused and rereading certain parts.
I do love duel perspectives and how people grow and change but for this book it just felt a little rushed and very confusing to me, like something was missing.

Overall I did enjoy some aspects of this story but it did fall a little short for me unfortunately.


Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

!!! This is a must read if you want to experience Scotland through 2 characters who love it so much. I loved reading all of the nature descriptions and getting excited while they completed their hike. I have recently become a second chance romance girlie and this solidified the trope for me. I loved these characters being so fated to be with one another but making stupid college student decisions lol.

I love a second chance romance, and even better I love a dual timeline.

The author does a wonderful job (in 3rd person) of highlighting both Jack (MMC) and Brooke (FMC) with their dialogue and feelings in each moment.

There were a few parts that would drone on or be a bit slow; however I was also eager to learn more of the ‘now’ and how things would unravel! Unfortunately there is just a dash of miscommunication.. but some with ‘good reason’ in a sense.

In the end, I got emooootional. There was a lot of feelings to feel that felt like a lot of pent up tension throughout the book that finally comes to a head.

For those that didn’t read Kilt Trip - you will not be lost in this book! I actually didn’t have a chance to read that one (yet) and didn’t feel that I was missing anything from Jack & Brooke’s story because of it!

Thanks HTP Books & The Hive for the opportunity to read this early!

This was a second chance romance between Jack and Brooke who met as student/TA in college. Brooke returns to college to help her mentor, Mhairi's memoir. She also happens to be Jack's aunt. The story is told when they were in college as well as their hiking trip which Mhairi's memoir focuses on.

I felt that younger Brooke and Jack were just horny kids and were reckless and knew what the consequences were and Brooke should not have been so angry with Jack.

I enjoyed their hiking trail interacting with other hikers and the beauty of nature. They didn't learn from their first go and still didn't communicate despite being in close quarters.

Thank you @canarystreetpress for a copy of the book.

A huge thank you to The Hive, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, Alexandra Kiley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this magnificent book!

I am absolutely in love with this book!!! I was so excited for this read, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. Alexandra Kiley’s writing really drew me in and made the story feel so fast-paced.

Brooke and Jack’s story is one that will stick with me forever. This is a dual timeline, forbidden romance meets second chance romance, and it was incredibly beautiful. Jack Sutherland is 100% my new book boyfriend. I could actually feel Mhairi’s love and inspiration through the pages, and yes, I cried multiple times.

I recommend this book with my whole soul, and I can’t wait to add it to my shelf on March 4th!!!

This was so much better than Kilt Trip. And I hate to start off with that but it's true. Scot and Bothered is smart and funny. It's a second-chance romance. Spoilers ahead! Jack and Brooke had a romance in college that went bad. I thought maybe their falling-out was exaggerated but it actually was really bad. They reconnect, reluctantly for work and then spectacularly because they can't fight it anymore. There's another snafu, which I hate 3rd act breakups but this one had merit, but they overcome it! All this while being totally immersed in Scotland. Have some tissues ready for those last few chapters. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

This book has a lot of my favorite aspects in a book (second chance, dual timeline, somewhat forbidden school romance, cinnamon roll MMC) but the execution just didn’t do it for me.

I really enjoyed the setting in Scotland and the concept, but the pacing was very patchy and I didn’t feel emotionally invested into these characters.

Brooke and Jack meet at the University of Edinburgh where Jack is a TA and Brooke is a student. Jack’s aunt also is Brooke’s role model and someone with whom Brooke works very closely even after the devastation of hers and jacks relationship. Because of decisions Jack made, Brooke loses everything and instead of becoming the author she wants to be, she ends up becoming a ghostwriter. Most all of Brooke’s life was thrown away because of a decision Jack made and she forgave him too easily for my taste. And them meeting and falling in love felt very insta-love to me which isn’t my taste either.

I really wanted to enjoy this book but sadly it just wasn’t for me. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've always wanted to visit the Isle of Skye, and Scot and Bothered made me want to book a trip even more!

If you could hike a trail discovered by your idol with the guy you fell in love with in college—the same guy who broke your heart—would you?

When Brooke is chosen to write a memoir for her college professor and lifelong inspiration, she’s determined to make it the best thing she’s ever written. But after receiving some mild criticism on the book’s current state, she realizes something is missing. The solution? Walking the famous trail her idol, Mhairi, once set herself. The catch? Her guide for the journey is none other than Jack—Mhairi’s nephew and the man who shattered her heart years ago. Can Brooke focus on her career and leave the past behind, or will old wounds (and unresolved feelings) resurface?

This story was so cute! I really enjoyed how Alexandra Kiley wove in Jack and Brooke’s backstory alongside their present-day journey on the trail. The dual timeline made their second-chance romance even more compelling, letting readers fall for them twice. Plus, the level of detail in the descriptions of the trail and scenery was breathtaking—I felt like I was right there hiking alongside them.

That said, I did find the first half a bit slow, and I almost set it aside. It took me a while to connect with a grumpy, closed-off Brooke and a Jack whose motivations weren’t fully clear. But I’m so glad I stuck with it! The character growth was incredibly rewarding—Brooke finding her confidence, Jack realizing his potential, and both of them finally chasing the dreams they had put off for too long.

This is a second-chance romance spanning seven years and a week-long hiking trip, a story about loss, rediscovery, and finding the person who pushes you to be your best self. If you love slow-burn tension, emotional depth, and gorgeous settings, this one’s for you!

Thank you, Alexandra Kiley, NetGalley, and Canary Street Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Full review to come! Scot and Bothered releases on 03/04/25—mark your calendars!

A second chance romance. They haven't seen each other in seven years. Set in Scotland. Need I say more?

I loved Kiley's debut novel Kilt Trip and basically begged her for an early read of her interrelated but standalone follow-up. These books don't just take place in Scotland- they take you on an immersive tour of the Scottish highlands (seriously, look up the Isle of Skye) and will have you adding Scotland to your next travel bucket list.

Scot and Bothered jumps between past and present as American Brooke and Scottish Jack meet each other at Edinburgh University and then again seven years later when Brooke is hired to help Jack's aunt with a project. Brooke is struggling with her writing career and Jack feels stuck in the family business and wants to branch out on his own. They haven't spoken since a terrible mistake cost their relationship and more. Will these two find their way back to each other?

This book has:
- Second Chance Romance
- Dual POV
- Forced Proximity
- Only One Tent
- Set in Scotland

The pining. The depth. The self-discovery. The men with Scottish accents.

Thank you to Alexandra Kiley, Netgalley and Canary Street Press for my earc. This one pubs March 4, so don't let it slip off your radar!! A 4.5 star read for me.

Scot and Bothered is an absolute gem! Full of great characters, second change romance and Scotland, this was unputdownable.

This book combined romcom with adventure, self-discovery and heartfelt moments. The dual timeline is well written. I got the background that I usually crave in second chance romances so I didn't feel out of the loop when it came to the romance. Brooke & Jack's romance is not only romantic but emotional at times. The relationship is dynamic and entertaining too. Seeing these two find their way back to each other was beautiful to read.

Then we have breathtaking Scotland as the backdrop. I love Scotland and I think Kiley brought me right back there with her descriptions. I felt like I was there which made me so happy.

This book is a joy to read. It has everything you could want in a romance. Highly recommend!

4.5 stars ⭐️
Thank you, Alexandra Kiley, Netgalley, and Canary Street Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Review to come.
Ghostwriter Brooke needs to immerse herself in a hiking trail for her next book. No problem, right? But her hiking buddy, who is the photographer for the book, is none other than her college ex who broke her heart and her trust.
You've heard of the only one bed trope, but have you ever read an only one tent scene?? I loved this book so much! I liked that it was a dual timeline novel. That way, the reader got to see the characters fall in love both times. This was a very emotional read. Both characters were struggling with self-confidence, especially in regards to their careers. Seeing how they supported each other and pushed for them to be better was great.
Scot and Bothered comes out 03/04/25.

"Scot and Bothered” takes you on a physical and metaphorical journey with the characters as Brooke and Jack traverse the Skye Trail where they are gaining inspiration for a memoir featuring Jack’s aunt / Brooke’s writing mentor.

This Scotland-based second-chance romance was just as atmospheric and vibey as you want it to be; I could imagine myself alongside them hiking the trail and being immersed in nature alongside them!

My only struggle with this book is that the female main character frustrated me, and I was hoping for a little more resolution in the ending. This one definitely makes you feel all the feels, though, and is worth it to read on the Scottish descriptions alone!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book isn’t part of a series, but is the brother of the MMC from Kilt Trip. While it’d be fine to read alone, it does pick up a little after that book leaves off.

I enjoyed the premise of the story, but felt like it was a little contrived. The back half felt rushed, the plot didn’t fully make sense, and the TAB was very manufactured. I never really felt like I had a chance to connect with the characters, despite loving a grieving roadtrip/hiking book.

If you could hike a trail discovered by idol with the guy you fell in love with in college, who ended up breaking your heart, would you?

When Brooke was chosen to write a memoir for her college professor and idol, she wants it to be the best thing she’s ever written. However, when she gets mild criticism about the books current state she knows something needs to happen…and that something is walking the trail set by Mhairi herself. Once Brooke finds out Jack, the love she lost in college and Mhairi’s nephew, is the guide will Brooke be able to leave the past behind and move forward to get what she needs for the book?

This story was cute! I enjoyed how the author gave us the backstory of Jack and Brooke’s relationship while also giving us the current state of their relationship on the trail. The amount of detail and description the author used for the trail and scenery throughout the book was impressive! I felt like I could visualize the elements while reading about the trail and the scenery.

Honestly, the first half of the book was slow for me and I almost put it down. I had a difficult time connecting with a grumpy Brooke and a Jack who was doing this for a reason Brooke had no idea about. I was pleased with how the book ended. I was glad to see the character growth in Brooke and the confidence Jack had acquired while realizing what he was capable of. It was nice to see them both end up with the dreams they had been putting off for themselves and their careers.

This was a second chance romance that moved across the span of seven years and a week long hiking trail, the bonding that comes from losing a person who means so much to you, and the importance of always chasing your dreams with someone who encourages you to never stop!

Thank you NetGalley and publishers, as well as Alexandra Kiley for letting me ready Scot and Bothered.