As much as I wanted to love this, I had to DNF because of the non-user friendly format that ended up on my kindle. The formatting was so messy it was distracting and overpowered the story. I’ll try this again as it’s now in print.

I read Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley last year (thank you again NetGalley and Canary Street Press), and it was such a fun read in the lead-up to a trip to Scotland. But thinking back on it, it was really broody and the communication between the MCs ranged from mediocre to nonexistent. Scot and Bothered was the same way, and it got in the way of my enjoying the book.

Brooke and Jack have history, and they end up hiking the Isle of Skye together. The story is told in chapters of now and then, but the communication between them in bad throughout. In the then chapters, Brooke and Jack meet at a party, because Jack is roommates with one of Brooke's friends, and sparks fly, but the relationship is forbidden because Jack is a TA for a class that Brooke is taking. Mind you, Brooke's friend is also a TA for that class. And he's her TA. And I know why that is different than a romantic relationship between Jack and Brooke, but for her friend to be her TA just feels like an ethical dilemma that is overlooked in the book. In the now chapters, Brooke and Jack go from avoiding each other to, oops!, only one tent. But they never really talk through any of their history. They kind of talk around it, and then they succumb to the sexual tension. And then, the third act break-up is avoidable and dumb -- because they don't communicate.

At around 66% I almost dnf'ed this, because I couldn't take the not-communicating. I'm not sad I finished it, because I'm glad I could read the ending, and the book wasn't bad... but dnf'ing might have been the right choice.

I had the hardest time with this book.I felt like i was missing something from the beginning and I couldn’t feel the chemistry between the two main characters so I had to give up.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book hit me in a way that I really wasn’t expecting - coming out of the first in the series, I expected a fluffy, lighthearted read.

Scot and Bothered instead is a beautiful dive into what it means to be connected to a person and a place at different points in time and in circumstance. It explored connection in such a beautiful and raw way, having the dual POV and dual timelines weave the idea of what it means to truly love and to forgive.

Even though it was feasible to connect the dots on what happened in the past timeline throughout the story, I felt compelled by the incredible writing and the hurts of Brooke and Jack to keep going to unearth how they fractured.

The scenery of Scotland and the tension between the two characters as they unsuccessfully try to avoid each other on their hike across the countryside was so enticing to read, but was made even better with the existence of Mhairi.

Having Brooke and Jack struggle to connect with each other and their passions while also adding in the pressure to do Mhairi’s story justice was such a beautiful way to deepen the emotional ties in the story. I found myself crying (not a surprise) at the end and how tender her storyline ended.

I highly recommend this if you love:
🏔️ Second chance
🏔️ Love letter to Scotland
🏔️ Dual POV
🏔️ Dual Timeline
🏔️ Forced Proximity
🏔️The Power of Love and Grief

I love Alexandra since book 1, this book did not disappoint! I will say a book on hiking is not my bread and butter when it comes to romance, but when you add the Scottish Country side to the story. Let me go be a hike for a minute! Jack & Brook story is amplified with the setting they are put under! So happy I got to read this book, meet these characters and read their beautiful love story,

Forbidden turns second chance romance professor/student. Brooke is a student from Colorado going to grad school in Scotland where she meets Jack at a Halloween party. Unfortunately she finds out later that he is her professor. They fall in love despite the rules of the university and Brooke gets kicked out of school. Fast forward seven years later and the two MCs run into each other once again. Now writer (Brooke) and photographer (Jack) go on a hiking trail in Scotland for a project and it’s there that they’re forced to work out their past.
We get POV from Jack and Brooke which alternate between past to present. I found it a bit slow and it took me three tries to get into the book. The romance at the start was very insta-love and the rest of the story was just okay. I didn’t like that Jack basically unrooted Brooke’s plan and she just forgives him so easily.

I received a copy of this for my honest review

This is a beautiful story of second chances and following your dreams. Our FMC is set to co author a memoir with her hero, who just happens to be the aunt of our MMC. The two met while she was a student and he was a TA (not her TA. But Sam class). But when their relationship was reported - they both lost themselves. Now, years later his aunt has convinced them both to hike the trail that she has discovered - so she can get a better understanding for the story, and he can photograph it. Will this bring up old resentment or help them to move forward?

Scot and Bothered is a beautifully written second-chance romance that takes readers on an emotional journey through the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. Brooke and Jack’s story is one of mistakes, heartbreak, and ultimately, healing. Told in a dual timeline, we get to see their love in its raw, youthful form before everything fell apart, and then again years later as they navigate trust, forgiveness, and the possibility of something new. Their journey along the Skye Trail isn’t just about the miles they hike—it’s about rediscovering themselves and each other, and it’s impossible not to root for them.

What makes this book so special is how real and flawed Brooke and Jack feel. They’ve made mistakes, and they’ll probably make more, but the beauty of their story is that maybe this time, they’ll make them together. The stunning backdrop of Scotland adds so much to the atmosphere, making this the kind of book that makes you want to pack a bag and go on an adventure of your own. If you love second chances, forced proximity, and a romance filled with heartache, spice, and deep emotional payoff, Scot and Bothered is a must-read!

This was such a cute read! I was laughing, swooning, and just had an all around good time. I love second chance romances, and this was done in such a fun way!

4.5★

"𝓘 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓱𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂, 𝓑𝓻𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓮. 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓯𝓾𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮, 𝓽𝓸𝓸"

This was so lovely and emotional. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be as angsty as it was but that was my favorite aspect of the book. You could feel the hurt and yearning from both Brooke and Jack when they came face to face after years of being apart.

These two had a whirlwind forbidden romance when Brooke was a student and Jack was her (sort of) TA. But it all goes up in smoke when Brooke gets expelled.

I loved the reason for these two being reunited. Brooke is tasked with ghost writing a book for her college mentor and Jack’s aunt, Mhairi. And Jack is tasked to take the photos to go along with it. To accomplish this, they have to hike the trail that Mhairi founded, 𝓽𝓸𝓰𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻.

Though they had obstacles thrown their way while they were out on the trail, this book was full of tender moments as these two relearned each other and let the other back in. It was definitely giving “it’s always been you” and I was so here for it. Also, Jack was so babygirl, I loved him so much.

Additionally, I loved the setting and the descriptions in this book. I’ve never been to Scotland but this made me feel like I was there, while also making me want to go even more than I already wanted to before.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC

I'm not a huge fun of second chance romances, and not a big fan of alternating then and now timelines. I didn't really care too much about the past storyline, it kept interrupting the flow of the current story, and I kept expecting there to be a big twist with what happened. I wanted more of the current timeline, more adventure. In the end I felt like we just got two half stories.

This was still a cute, fun read, but I didn't love it as much as I did with book one.

Take me away to the Isle of Skye, please and thank you! Whooooo this was a good one. I loved nearly everything about this story. Jack and Brooke were so likeable and funny and sexy. Their chemistry was amazing and I loved seeing them both grow, individually and together, with their passion projects. And the setting - oh my gosh. I almost booked a ticket to Scotland immediately! Everything sounded gorgeous. I loved Kiley's writing style and would happily keep reading more in this series. My only qualm was I wanted to know the conflict that separates Jack and Brooke in the past sooner. But other than that, it was such a fantastic book!

Brooke and Jack have been forced together on the Skye Trail. Brooke, to experience the trail and help improve the memoir she is co-writing for her mentor, Mhairi, and Jack, to take photos for the memoir and say goodbye to his aunt.

The story is told in two different timelines, then and now, giving history on Brooke and Jack's original romance, and now, their second chance as they experience the Skye Trail together.

- Second chance romance
- Forbidden romance
- Forced proximity
- Only one tent/bed

I enjoyed the relationships between Brooke and Mhairi and Jack with his family. I really felt the grief and emotion from the characters in regards to Mhairi's illness. I also enjoyed seeing the impact Mhairi's character had on so many. Alexandra Kiley does an excellent job of bringing the Sottish atmosphere and landscape into the story. However, I dropped a star because a lot of information was missing from their time apart, the character development was lacking for me, and the conflict in both then and now seemed like one big miscommunication that could have easily been resolved.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌

𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙
by Alexandra Kiley
332 pages
@canarystreetpress
Out March 4, 2025

𝒮𝓎𝓃𝑜𝓅𝓈𝒾𝓈
Brooke Sinclair’s dream of being a published author derailed when she was expelled from the University of Edinburgh seven years ago. Now a ghostwriter, she sticks to other people’s stories. But when her college mentor Mhairi McCallister needs a co-writer for her memoir about Scotland’s most challenging trek, Brooke would do anything for the opportunity—including agreeing to hike the rugged Skye Trail for authenticity’s sake... not knowing the nature photographer who’ll join her is Jack Sutherland, the man who shattered Brooke’s writing career—and her heart.

Between getting sacked from the University and walking away from his family’s tour-guiding business to follow his photography dreams, Jack is desperate to prove he didn’t disappoint his family for nothing. And he can’t ignore his Aunt Mhairi’s final wishes for her memoir. Even if it means acting as guide and storyteller for the one who got away. Even if it means keeping secrets about Mhairi’s health.

I absolutely loved 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙥 by Alexandra Kiley, and I’ve been anxious to read the next installment. I really liked this novel, but it was more of an achingly slow burn so be prepared. It was still steamy, satisfying and had the added authenticity of dealing with losing a loved one and how to celebrate that person’s life.

💕 Second Chance Romance
🚪Open Door
🏕️Close proximity
⏳Makes use of flashback to reveal the past between the MCs
❤️‍🔥Slow Burn
🌶️ Steam and spice and everything nice
⛰️Love letter to Scotland- on my bucket list!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚If you enjoy B.K. Borison, Lyla Sage or Sarah Adams romance series, please check this series out. I think you will enjoy it!
Thank you to the author, tagged publisher and @netgalley for allowing me to read this before it is published in exchange for my review.

❓QOTD: Scotland is one of my bucket list destinations to travel to - what’s one place you’d like to visit?

#romancebooks #arcreading #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #scotandbothered #thekilttrip #alexandrakileybooks

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley. We've covered this newly published sophomore selection from the author of Kilt Trip for our podcast. The book had potential but quickly ran off track for us.

The Pros
- Love letter to the Scottish countryside and culture
- Brooke doesn't let Jack back in too quickly
- Kiley is an excellent writer

The Cons
- The conflict was manufactured and not very impactful when you think about it logically
- Emotional manipulation all around - for the characters and the readers
- The flashback.
- The pacing
- The characters weren't compelling

We loved Kilt Trip so much that this was a letdown. We'd recommend it for series completists and those who love to read descriptions of the gorgeous wilds of Scotland.

⅘ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Scot and Bothered
Author: Alexandra Kiley

Thank you so much @htpbooks for this copy of @akileys newest release! I was honored to have been given an arc of her other book Kilt Trip which I absolutely adored. This one was just as cute if not even more! Brooke is a ghost writer, and her college mentor asks her to help her write her book on a memoir of a beautiful trail in Scotland called the Skye Trail. They end up deciding that it would be best for Brooke to actually hike the trail, to really be able to bring the book to life and be able to make it even more realistic. Of course, the photographer going with her is her ex fling Jack, and it’s safe to say things did not end well between them at all. So this book ends up throwing in forced proximity, second chance romance, Scottish setting, and my favorite part was that they were hiking and in nature for the majority of the read. This book also bounces between past and present so we really get a good understanding of Brooke and Jacks relationship and why she pretty much loathes him in the beginning. I really recommend this read, AND Kilt Trip if you haven’t read it yet either. Can’t wait for Alexandra Riley to bring us more!

I read the first book in this duology, Kilt Trip, last year on a trip to Scotland and turned it into a huge part of the trip itself (including a full “scavenger hunt” visiting locations and restaurants mentioned throughout the book). I was SO excited to get a chance to read an early copy of Scot and Bothered, and immediately wished I was back in Scotland reading this one - although in an interesting twist, I did happen to be on another vacation while reading this one, except this time it was Mexico!

I adored Jack just as much as I loved Logan, except maybe even a tiny bit more?? I wanted to protect his sweet, misunderstood, black-sheep-of-the-family self SO badly, and I loved Brooke’s instant chemistry with him. The story could’ve been just a touch tighter/clearer for me, but by the end I feel like I got exactly the ending I wanted - and honestly, Scotland is one of my favorite places in the world and anything describing its beauty and history is an automatic yes in my eyes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for this eARC!

(I copied the incorrect link the first time I am so sorry)
I wasn’t a fan of this. I really cannot read second chance romances, but I especially can’t read the ones with multiple timelines. I think that’s a personal thing for me, it has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the book itself. I will absolutely continue to read this authors work, but unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me.

𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 - 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦. I absolutely adored this slow-burn, second-chance romance, with its picturesque Scottish scenery (I definitely spent a lot of time looking up the many locations described). The book was wonderfully written with “then” and “now” POVs, which added layers, mystery, and ultimately explanations to how Brooke and Jack’s story started and how they fell apart. I truly didn’t expect to find myself reading such a beautiful, yet messy love story with heartbreak, healing, and amazing character growth.

“His eyes were like the fairy pools, vast & endlessly deep. Like if she fell into them, she’d never come out again—& she was very ready to fall.”

4 ⭐️

Brooke & Jack met at the University of Edinburgh feeling an immediate connection.

But because Jack was T.A. their relationship was forbidden, resulting in an unforgiving disaster.

Now, many years later, as Brooke sets out on a journey in hopes of finishing a memoir, Jack shows up to photograph the trip.

Even trying to keep their distance, their history quickly resurfaces & they cannot deny their feelings any longer.

What to expect:
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland setting
🐑 Second chance romance
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Forced proximity
🐑 One tent
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Off limits romance
🐑 Self- discovery

Thoughts:
I left a huge piece of my heart in Scotland so it was so fun to read about these places I went to. With dual timelines, we get to see the main characters’ falling in love & rekindling their relationship.