I’ve been to Scotland twice, and the beautiful imagery makes me want to go back tomorrow. There is an otherworldly beauty and peace out in the Highlands that is captured in this story of second chances. It’s as frustrating as a slew of midges, but comforting like steak and ale pie.

A second-chance romance set in Scotland. SAY LESS.

While this was a blindingly fast, one-sitting read, I felt like I was held at arm's length the entire time -- in both past and present storylines. I was never able to get that attachment to the characters because I never got a chance to know them apart from the highest level facts: she's a ghostwriter and had an Incident back in college, he's the nephew of a beloved professor and wants more out of life than the family's tour business.

I love Alexandra Kiley's scottish romances! They're adorable with driven leading ladies and sweet swoon worthy scottish men. Everytime I read one of her books I want to travel! I already am writing up list of places to visit for a Scotland trip!

Oh, what a fun adventure this was! My first romance with Scottish vibes and a Scottish man. Jack and Brooke were very likable. The tropes were some of my favorites for a romance read. The Only one tent trope was great! You get dual timeline, which I love as you get both sides of the story from both the FMC and the MMC's brain. Although this was my first from this author, I'm looking forward to reading more from Alexandra Kiley!

Loved this one! Was a very cute read and the imagery of Scotland throughout the book did what I think the author intended which was making the reader want to experience their own adventure on the trails there. The only thing I found a bit difficult with this read was the POV changes. Sometimes the change of POVs didn’t feel as clear so it took a moment to readjust and figure out which character’s POV it was.

Not only do you get the “one bed” trope, you get the “one TENT” trope! I love how this book basically went from friends to lovers to enemies. You get to see their past and how things fell apart between Jack and Brooke, as well as where they’re at now and what’s still tying them together.

You know what, hellll yeah!!!! I want a Scottish mans just like this one please. This was such a fun time, I was giggling and kicking my feet while reading.

Thank you to NetGallery for the opportunity to read this book in advance. This novel was a cute little Scottish tale with likable characters and an interesting plot premise. I did struggle with the formatting of the e-book. Anything that start with an fl had spacing issues and the paragraphs were not formatting in a way that was easy for the reader to digest, and it honestly took away from the reading experience. Additionally, in the beginning, there was a lot that was assumed about characters, their backgrounds, and connection to each other and it was initially challenging to wrap my head around. It would have been nice to get a better foundation, considering the heavier topics towards the end of the book. Once I was able to connect to the characters and understand the vision of the story, it was super cute and enjoyable.

This was such an enjoyable second chance romance! The dual timelines worked really well and I just fell in love with the setting! Talk about wanderlust! I alternated between formats, though the audiobook performances were especially great! 4⭐️

Loved this one! Everyone needs a Jack but even more importantly a Mhari in their lives! So engrossed in the feelings the entire time I was reading. Would reread and recommend

Brooke would do anything to be her college mentors co-write. Even agreeing to hike the rugged skye trail. She doesn’t know, the man who ruined her writing career, Jack the photographer will be joining her. They are forced to confront some old feelings. What will happen in those two weeks? Maybe there’s a second chance at the end of the trail!

I loved the banter between the two of them! I was smiling and laughing the whole time I was reading this book. It was a wonderful story that was well written. I was able to read it quickly.

If you like:
👫Dual timeline
👫Dual POV narration
🫶🏼Second chances
📚Books about books
❤️Former lovers turned enemies
🔥Slow burn romance
👫Working together
👫Forced proximity
⛺️Only one tent

This book is for you!

Publication Date: March 4 2025
Rating: ✨✨✨

Thank you NetGalley, Alexandra and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the eARC!

#ScotandBothered #NetGalley

First, thank you to the author, publishers, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I genuinely enjoyed this book. I don’t usually love flash back chapters, but felt that these didn’t take over the current story completely. I love a dual pov, but felt that the switches were kind of clunky. Every switch had me pausing and then actively thinking about which pov it was.

Overall, Scot and Bothered was a quick read about second chance love and pursuing your passions. While out on the trail Jack and Brooke are able to discover themselves and rekindle their relationship. I thought the dialogue / banter was good and believable. I enjoyed our side characters and what they brought to the story.

My only reservation was that I thought the storyline of them in school and being kicked out and everything was not very believable and felt a bit overdramatic. Classic case of miscommunication for the protagonists.

Oh I loved this!!!

I am honestly not a fan of a second chance romance but I absolutely adored this!! I felt that the back and forth between the past and present really sent the action forward and did a great job of getting to the core of Brooke and Jack's relationship.

THE ACCENTS IN THIS AUDIOBOOK!!! The narration was truly perfection and transported me into the world of the book. It really helped solidify Jack's character and I personally loved him.

I truly had such a good time reading this one and I highly recommend the audiobook!!!

Thank you Alexandra Kiley and HTP Publishing for this early copy in exchange for my honest review.

As a huge fan of Kilt Trip, I was so excited for this book and Alexandra Kiley didn't disappoint. She is a master in spinning a story that tugs at your heart strings while making you laugh. You get so wrapped up in the story that you feel everything- the character's feelings, the environment- everything! Another great addition to the series.

Following Alexandra Kiley’s Kilt Trip, this book tells the story of Jack Sutherland (brother of the male protagonist in Kilt Trip — I am really loving these little book universes!) and Brooke Sinclair, friends-to-lovers-to-enemies who went to the University of Edinburgh together.

The book picks up seven years after their relationship bottomed out and Brook’s life path of promising author took a drastic turn for the worst. Paired up on an important project for someone they both care about (his aunt, her mentor), Brooke and Jack are forced to traverse the rugged Skye Trail for the sake of the memoir they’re both working on. Forced proximity ensues, along with delightful descriptions of Scotland, and a number of insightful lines about how life doesn’t exactly go as planned.

As much as I enjoyed Kilt Trip, Scot and Bothered is definitely my favorite of the two. And that’s saying something, because I truly enjoyed the former! Brooke’s struggles with her own writing and creativity (and the nuanced insights Kiley sprinkles in throughout) definitely hit home with me, making it a deeper reading experience. Really, it makes me even more excited to follow Kiley’s writing and see what she creates next!

This was absolutely adorable! I went in expecting a light and fluffy rom-com, but there was so much more to this book than that. I was pleasantly surprised!

This second chance romance dealt with a lot of feelings on loss, finding yourself, and accepting your passion. I felt Brookes journey deep in my soul. Figuring out how to trust someone again (or even yourself) is something that I struggle with myself. This was a breath of fresh air! I even found myself shedding a tear at the end.

Also, traveling Scotland is one of my dream trips so that was definitely a bonus. The scenery described just makes me want to go now... Maybe someday!

Thanks @netgalley, @htpbooks, and @akileybooks for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! Sorry, I'm a little late with my review. Life happened. 😅

I love reading any book that takes me to a different place (I'm tired of America 😫). And Alexandra Kiley knows how to do that ❤️

I absolutely adored her first book, and her second book is just as good! I love a second chance romance, and this one was everything!

Also, I love when people actually write adults who communicate and show their emotions in a grown up way. Adults acting like 15 year olds is not the way.

I'm excited to ready anything else Alexandra Kiley throws at me!

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢 𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘺 & 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Sucker punched me right in the throat.

Adored it. Cried, laughed, kicked my feet. Both separately and together, these characters are It.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The backstory on this book was much sadder than I expected for a book I was reading on vacation, but it was so beautiful and sweet, and the turns of phrase.... Happy sigh. So lovely.

I'm a sucker for books that are set abroad and I absolutely love when it's set in Scotland! This was my first book by Alexandra Kiley but I absolutely loved the dual timeline - since it was a second chance romance, it was refreshing to be able to experience both their present and past love. It was nice to see what happened that separated them to really feel like they both had a chance in the present.

This was a book that had both amazing FMC/MMC and amazing side characters. The side characters were memorable and really felt like they added so much to the story.

Huge thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Press for the e-arc in exchange of my honest review.