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.

Another fun and cozy read! So many fabulous romance authors out there now and it's incredibly amazing! Loved it! Loved the plot, the setting, and Brooke. And Scotland! What's not to love here!

Engaging story of Jack and Brooke who embark on a difficult hiking trail on the island of Skye, to immerse themselves in aoo project of discovery to know and pay tribute to Mhairi McCallaster, Jack's beloved aunt and Brooke's mentor and teacher whom she is ghost writing for. Six years earlier Jack and Brooke were falling in love and a decision Jack made, changed both their dreams and ended their relationship. Can Brooke forgive him and work with him to traverse the difficult trail?

I read both this book and Kilt Trip, and while I did like that one, this book was a bit deeper and pulled me in right away. Jack and Brooke have an obvious magnetic pull, but each needs to learn how to believe in themselves, both individually and together.

The description of the Isle of Skye, and the terrain and weather, was spot on, and could be considered almost a third main character..

3.5 stars!
A very sweet second chance between Jack and Brooke. Brooke agrees to go on a hike/camping trip with Jack to help her mentor with her book.
The middle felt a bit dragged out and I personally am not a big fan of miscommunication between the characters so that took a bit away from the great tension and longing as they continue to spend more time together. I loved the beautiful scenic descriptions of Scotland and the stories of the other travelers they meet along the book. I enjoyed the dual timeline story and getting to learn what happened in their past alongside the current timeline. It was a charming and fun read and the setting/background and highland cows made the story more fun.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

Scot and Bothered is the ultimate second-chance romance—equal parts heartfelt, emotional, and brimming with undeniable chemistry. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Skye Trail, this story beautifully weaves past heartbreak with present longing as Brooke and Jack are forced to confront the pain (and passion) that never really faded.

Brooke is a fiercely determined heroine, trying to reclaim the writing career she lost. Jack, with his own regrets and ambitions, is the perfect counterpart to her fire. Their journey isn’t just about surviving the rugged trek—it’s about rediscovering each other and whether their love is worth a second chance.

The Scottish setting adds an atmospheric charm, and the forced proximity trope is executed brilliantly. Between unresolved tension, raw emotions, and undeniable attraction, this book kept me hooked until the very end. If you love second-chance romance with stunning scenery and all the feels, Scot and Bothered is a must-read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for providing a DRC of this title.

Sweet, tender second-chance romance that already has me mentally planning a trip to Scotland. Would definitely recommend for anyone who is a fan of travel romances, especially Kiley's first book (which is also excellent!).

I was excited to read the second book by Alexandra Kiley featuring the brother to the main character in her first book Kilt Trip. Scot and Bothered’s story unfolds alternating between a then and now timeline as Jack and Brooke camp and hike a trail across the Isle Of Skye to complete a book project together with her as the writer and he the photographer. Like in the first book by the author, the beauty of Scotland is like a third main character throughout. This was a surprisingly emotional book and I loved how everything unfolded. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.

4.5/This is an intimate, adventurous, second chance love story. Kiley's follow-up to Kilt Trip once again delivered me right back to the Highlands in the best way. I absolutely loved this and the love and connection between Brooke and Jack was exquisitely written. What Kiley does exceptionally well is creating intensely intimate scenes that are open door without being gratuitous or overly explicit. Also, Kiley is setting us up for another story with the third brother, so I'll be anxiously awaiting that. 

👩‍❤️‍👨2nd Chance Romance
🥾Forced Proximity via hike & work project
✌️Dual Timeline & Dual POV
⛺One bed/One tent
💔3rd Act Breakup
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🌶️Open door, but more intimate than graphic

I also recently learned Kiley lives in Colorado - so even more exciting that she is a local author! 

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC! Publishing March 4th! ❤️

💝ARC REVIEW💝

📖Scot and Bothered
✏️By @akileybooks
🗓️March 4, 2025

Kiley has done it again! After reading Kilt Trip, her debut, my expectations for her second novel were, simply put, through the roof. To my absolute delight - Scot and Bothered absolutely smashed it!

I need to rein in my emotions if I’m going to get through the million reasons why I’m OBSESSED with this book. First off, the writing - Kiley beautifully captures the epic scenery of Scotland in both of her books, and Scot and Bothered, with its focus on the Isle of Skye, is just breathtaking. This is exactly what people mean when they say books let you travel to multiple places without ever leaving your couch.

I loved both Brooke and Jack’s stories - separately, as they grow in their own ways, and together, as their relationship evolves through different life experiences, from happy moments to processing grief. The way their journey to the Isle of Skye brings them back together, plus the dual timeline and dual POVs, makes this book an instant favorite.

Now that I’ve finished, I’m feeling that same mix of emotions I had after Kilt Trip - completely content yet also kinda lost because I want (scratch that, NEED) Kiley’s next book ASAP.

Thanks to @netgalley and @harlequinbooks for the chance to read an early copy of one of my most anticipated reads of 2025. And now, I’m back to refreshing Kiley’s Instagram 500 times a day, hoping she announces book three (pretty please 🥺).

Scot and Bothered hits shelves on March 4, 2025, and Kilt Trip is available everywhere books are sold 🥰

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I loved, loved, LOVED Kilt Trip so I couldn't wait to get this next book in that world. Scot and Bothered did not disappoint! I loved the then/now timelines and the gorgeous setting. I was rooting for the main characters and all of the people they met along the way. Such a lovingly crafted romance, a perfect read. Can't wait for my pre-order to arrive so I can have a physical copy on my favorites shelf!

Heilan coos, the Isle of Skye, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and second chance romance........sign me up!! I was thrilled to receive this new one from Alexandra Kiley as an ARC. A great romance is one that pulls at your heartstrings, makes you feel all the range of emotions, has you glued to the pages and invested in the characters hopes/dreams, full of passion and longing, and throw that all into a setting as beautiful as the Scottish Highlands, and you definitely have the making of a great read! This book has all of that and more. Feeling betrayed by past circumstances, Brooke is now forced into a hiking trip on the Isle of Skye to gather stories and details to aid in her ghostwriting assignment. When the original photographer backs out, Jack takes his place, giving him a second chance with the "one who got away.." I enjoyed Kilt Trip, so this is my second read from the author, and I look forward to her future books!! Thank you so much to Alexandra Kiley, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-ARC!

I love a good second chance romance and anything Scotland, plus I really enjoyed Kilt trip so I was excited to read this one! While it did feel like it started a bit slower for me than kilt trip did, I overall enjoyed the book! I love dual timelines! The FMC was a bit frustrating for me at times but I loved Jack as a secondary character and as a MC he did not disappoint. And I absolutely loved the concept of the MCs being stuck together on their trip! Nothing like a little forced proximity to get the romance going! Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC copy!

(I will be sharing on social closer to release date!)

I was so excited to read this book but out was a little bit too slow for me and I think I just had issues with the plot over all. Brooke and Jack’s relationship really suffered from miscommunication in the worst way possible; to a degree that I just cannot see them lasting very long as a couple. I also just had issues with the whole firing of a job, like I think they could have just held off a little to date later and not risk their careers? I just had trouble really getting into this one.

This second chance romance between Brooke and Jack was hotter than I expected, having read Alexandra Kiley’s debut Kilt Trip. Their mutual yearning was palpable and that one scene in the cabin was pure bliss. I loved the dual timelines. The back and forth between the now and then had the perfect pacing to propel the story. I just feel sad that they missed out on so much time together due to their inability to communicate. I couldn’t stop reading this book! Brooke and Jack’s mutual love of Mhairi was so heartfelt. Mhairi’s involvement in the Highland trails at the heart of this story led to some beautiful descriptions of the Scottish scenery and I loved that she was the one who pushed the couple to pursue their dreams. I felt everything so deeply reading this romance and I’ll continue to read anything Alexandra Kiley writes!

I have mixed feelings. There were parts that I loved and quite enjoyed, but for the rest, I felt disconnected and honestly bored. I was bummed as I was excited about the fact it's a second chance romance; these tend to be a fav of mine, but something was missing, and I can't put my finger on it. I loved both their relationship with Mhairi and the forced proximity it created on the trail. I also loved that Brooke started to find her voice and passion for writing, not just as a ghostwriter, but for herself. Her struggle with this was a little drawn out, though. Another favorite part of this is the flashbacks to when Jack pushes her out of her comfort zone. However, I struggled with connecting with Brooke or Jack, even tho I share some of the same thoughts. I don't know. Also, they never really discussed what happened back at Uni face-to-face; you just get their thoughts, so I don't know how they both moved on from it. I was just left wanting more.

This was a fun read and I think I enjoyed the setting of this book most of all! The characters were enjoyable and I adored the humor aspect.

This was well done, with the past scenes versus the "now" scenes. Felt bad for both characters to have missed out on 7 years together, but that means it was good writing. I liked both of the main characters and also the family dynamics and pressures to fit a certain mold exploration. Quick read bc I couldn't put it down!

My coworker recommended this to me because it has a highland cow on the cover. It’s also a romance and set in Scotland, so odds were high that I’d enjoy it. And I did! This was a fun escape read with depth! Looking forward to other titles from this author.

This was the perfect sweet read. Brooke’s story was so well thought out and I really enjoyed seeing the transformation from seemingly invincible 20 something, to hesitant and burned professional, all the way back to a fulfilled and confident woman taking her dreams in her own hands.

I love the relationship between Brooke and Jack. I think it’s hard to do second chance romance the right way. Sometimes there’s too much scorched earth to understand how they work through it, sometimes the original break up seems too frivolous to be surprised they’re back together. Scot and Bothered balanced that super well and I really enjoyed watching the two characters just be themselves enough to find each other again.

All in all I thought the story gave a lot to hold onto. I wanted to read more about their past, I wanted to read more about the setting, I wanted to read more about the background cast, in every moment I wanted to know more and I think that’s exactly the way to build a story you can enjoy for more than the main romance.

Scot and Bothered was okay. If I had to give the book a star rating, it would be a 2.75. The biggest issue I had with Scot and Bothered was the pacing. By the time I hit the half-way mark, I lost interest. The back and forth then/now scenes were too much at times. I could have done with less flashback scenes. The big drama between Brooke and Jack felt dragged out. The break-up scene felt so hyped up that by the time it actually came, I was disappointed in how it was written. The whole drama between Brooke and Jack felt silly. All of this could have been avoided if they just communicated with each other, especially Jack. All they had to do was wait one semester before dating! Brooke and Jack were fine characters. I enjoyed seeing their interactions after all those years. The forced proximity was done well. I thought all of the side characters were severely lacking in development. For how pivotal Mhairi is in the book, her character could have been more layered. Brooke's two friends from college, Kieran and Chels, were just a blimp in the book. I wanted more from them. I did think Kiley did a wonderful job creating an immersive setting. I liked how she explained some of the historic places in Edinburgh. Overall, this book just didn't stand out to me. Thank you to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the ARC.