This was a cute romance with beautifully scenic descriptions of Scotland. I do think it was a little long in place and had not enough detail in others, but this was a cute, low stakes story.
This split POV, and while I love that, I wish the chapters included the name of whose POV that chapter is, because it was a little confusing in a couple chapter until you got half a page into it.
Their romance was cute and their original breakup made sense because no one really expects young college kids to never communicate poorly, but I do wish there was less back and forth in Brooke’s head, but when she finally decided to go for it, she hadn’t actually decided in her POV. When she made a move, it felt kind of jarring.

⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️Random notes from my read: CAN BE CONSIDERED SPOILERY⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️


* Im confused by this. “She wondered what he thought of her; the one who’d challenged him hadn’t achieved any of her dreams. Wasn’t even fighting for them anymore.”. Isn’t that why she’s on this trip to begin with? Because she’s fighting for her dream, but I guess now not? Confused
* All this book is doing is making me wanna visit Scotland
* Why did Rohan even care that much? I feel like their situation was so level that most wouldn’t even blink
* Brooke is an idiot
* And a coward
* Girl changes her mind more often than most people change their underwear


Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review

I think this book helped me realize I secretly love second chance love stories. The story is so sweet and beautifully written. I loved how their past relationship was interwoven with the present. Getting to see them both play out together helped give more depth to their current story.

But the real star is the Scottish landscapes, and I would now like to book a ticket to Scotland asap.

I ended this book feeling inspired and believing that while there can be beauty found in the past, trusting and believing in what you're capable of now - that's the real gift of this book.

I am an huge Alexandra Kiley fan since reading “Kilt Trip”. She has a way of writing that transports you to faraway places (some of which you may not have ever been to) and makes you feel like you’re actually there along with the characters. With the way I loved “Kilt Trip” I couldn’t wait to visit the Scotland again alongside the Sutherland Boys again. I did break my thumbs requesting/downloading “Scot and Bothered”, but it’s okay because “Scot and Bothered” is now my new favorite Alexandra Kiley book.

As far as second chance romances go, “Scot and Bothered” was done so well. I love a dual timeline; getting insight to and through the characters’ past while also watching them find their way back to each other in the present is such an incredible journey. I was so invested in both of Brooke and Jack’s timelines, with each chapter, I don’t know which timeline I was looking forward to more.

I did not think that I would love anyone more than Logan, but Jack is my new favorite Sutherland brother. As former photography student, I felt very connected to Jack. I get his passion and his personal setbacks as well. And the way he longed and pined for Brooke was everything. Brooke and Jack had great chemistry and an incredible connection. Their story was beautiful and charming.

The way Alexandra Kiley writes about Scotland makes me feel like I was back in Edinburgh. Just like with “Kilt Trip” , “Scot and Bothered” somehow both soothed my wanderlust, while also making me itch to go back to Scotland.

Put a highland cow on any book cover and I will read it! All jokes aside, this Scottish rom-com was delightful. I absolutely loved the dynamic of Jack and Brooke’s relationship and how wonderfully Kiley portrayed the deep emotions the characters experienced.

This book was an absolute treat to read.

It was filled with such delicious yearning and pining. I am already a fan of the second chance romance trope, but this was executed so well.

The story follows exes (a ghostwriter and photographer) hiking a grueling 80 mile trail in the Scottish Highlands to help the FMC finish her mentor's memoir. It features a dual timeline back to their university days and the tension between the two was chef's kiss.

I enjoyed the first book in the series, Kilt Trip, but this one was even better.

Brooke is a successful ghostwriter, but she now has the opportunity to be a cowriter to her favorite professor. The problem is, when she was enrolled in school she got kicked out due to said professors nephew. After some bad news about her draft, Brooke is determined to hike the trail the book is about. Brooke is forced to hike with Jack, after years of avoiding him. The book follows Jack and Brooke along the trail as well as flashbacks to their forbidden romance. Brooke and Jack grow closer on the trail. The passion never quite left either of them. But will Brooke be able to forgive Jack for their past? Or will they return from their adventure and go their separate ways?

Backpacking Adventure
Second Chance Romance
Dual timeline
Dual POV

If you liked Kilt Trip you’re going to love Scot and Bothered! This story is fun and filled with loads of adventure. I’m always looking for books that have backpacking/hiking so I was excited when it was mentioned in the synopsis for this book. And it definitely delivered. The romance was cute, and I really felt it in the flashbacks, but I didn’t feel the chemistry as much in the present day. But all in all a great book with a sweet romance and awesome plot! Highly recommend to any outdoorsy romance lovers!

Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lovedddd the first book of this series. So was very excited for the second and it did not disappoint. I can’t wait for the audiobook so I can hear the MMC in the Scottish accent. I think the author explains the characters conflicts in a much more realistic way than many books on the market. Just because two people have feelings for each other, life’s other issues don’t magically fix themselves. But the author pulls you through the story beautifully. Also here’s a cute quote I liked from very early in the book, it’s just so funny and relatable

“She'd overdone it with the makeup this morning, as if a heavy hand with a shimmery eye shadow stick could disguise her crumbled confidence. It didn't, and Brooke was reminded of that sad fact every time she had to raise her eyebrows to unstick the crease of her eyelids.”

Kiley knows how to write a gosh darn darling book! Everyone needs to add this sweet story to your TBR for spring, because what a fun book this was. It would be such a fun book club pick.

I loved this book! It was everything I wanted from a Scottish rom-com and more!

Brooke Sinclair is a ghostwriter who is struggling to find her place in the publishing world. When the opportunity to co-write a memoir with her mentor, Mhairi McCallister, comes up, she takes it. But to truly tell Mhairi’s story and how she founded the famous Skye Trail, Brooke decides to hike it, accompanied by the ghost of her past, Jack. Jack Sutherland, Mhairi’s nephew and Brooke’s former love, is a budding photographer trying to prove himself to his family. When Mhairi asks him to hike the trail with Brooke and take photos of it for the memoir, he agrees. As Brooke and Jack conquer the wilds of Skye, the two quickly discover the power of courage, love, and second chances.

I really love Alexandra Kiley’s books! I very much enjoyed reading Kilt Trip (and learning all about the Sutherland family), but I feel like Scot and Bothered was truly breathtaking. The way she interwove love and forgiveness (alongside grief) was so beautifully done. The settings and stops along the trail were inspiring to read and made me itch to book a trip to Scotland ASAP.

The tension and angst between Jack and Brooke across both the “then” and “now” chapters leaped off the pages. I love a good second chance romance with the “will they or won’t they” pull. Scot and Bothered delivered this and then some.

I cannot wait to see the finished copy in March so that I can reread it again and again.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canary Street Press for the ARC!

I don’t have enough words to express how much I loved this book! I read Kilt Trip while in Scotland earlier this year and fell in love, I think Scot And Bothered was even better and made me feel so connected to the characters. I loved how she describes the views from the various hiking trails and viewpoints, I love the chemistry between our main characters and I loved the aspect of the teacher being her hero and friend. I will be buying a physical copy for my shelf asap and reading EVERYTHING from this author forever. Thank you!!!

Where to start! First of all I’m still drying my eyes after that ending. Second of all I love a second chance + forced proximity situation and this one was so good. The chemistry! The longing! The tension! The club scene! I’m unwell. Also really loved both of their journeys to find their passions and figure out what they wanted and have the courage to go for it. So relatable. Mhairi felt like a real person so I’ll be in mourning for the next 5-7 business days.

3.5 ⭐️
I really liked Kilt Trip (4 ⭐️), so I was excited to be approved for Scot and Bothered! However, Jack's story didn't do it for me quite the same way as Logan's did. A second-chance romance can be hit or miss for me, and not knowing what the original conflict actually was until the end of the book can make it tougher. I felt like the angry tension between the two characters was brushed under the rug (still without me knowing what had caused the tension) and I didn't feel the same charm between the two MCs the way I felt it in Kilt Trip. However, I did like the plot line of being forced to reconcile between realistic goals and your true dreams, and thought that and the grief plot line were handled well. I would still recommend this book if you want to take a (literary) trip to dreamy/moody/Highland Coo-y Scotland, but definitely would recommend Kilt Trip first!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Hi readers, I'm so excited you're here! SCOT AND BOTHERED is an atmospheric, emotional romance with funny, sad, and uplifting moments. This book is for you if you like:

-Atmospheric Scottish setting
-Second-chance romance
-Dual-timeline
-College shenanigans
-Deep love
-Lots of pining
-Only one tent
-Cranky highland coos

You can find a complete list of content notes on my website: https://www.alexandrakiley.com/