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/