"SCOT ON THE TRAIL!" is a heartfelt and emotionally charged journey through the rugged Scottish landscape, beautifully capturing both the physical trek and the inner emotional landscapes of its protagonists. Brooke Sinclair's quest to co-write a memoir while facing unresolved issues from her past with Jack Sutherland makes for an engaging and relatable narrative. The backdrop of the Skye Trail offers a stunning and immersive setting that enhances the depth of the characters’ emotional journeys.

Brooke’s growth as a character and her struggles with the loss of her dream of becoming a published author are poignant and well-explored. Jack, with his own burdens and family expectations, adds a layer of complexity that makes him more than just a love interest. The chemistry between them is palpable, and the tension from their shared history keeps the story moving forward.

The pacing is a bit slow at times, particularly when the focus shifts from the romance to their internal reflections, but the beauty of the Scottish scenery and the emotional weight of their reunion makes it worth the read. The ending offers a satisfying resolution, leaving readers with a sense of hope and the possibility of redemption for both characters.

Overall, "SCOT ON THE TRAIL!" is a heartfelt, romantic, and visually stunning read that will appeal to fans of second-chance love stories and travel-inspired adventures. It’s an enjoyable escape that will stay with you long after you’ve reached the end of the trail.

2.5 - I really wanted to like this, but unfortunately I lost interest in this so quickly. I just didn’t connect with or care about any of these characters.

Second chance with dual timelines and a TA/student taboo adjacent romance that was very insta-love in the past. Their relationship basically ruined the FMC’s career and her chance at a fellowship, but she forgave the MMC so fast. The best part was probably the male narrator with the Scottish accent.

*I didn’t read Kilt Trip, but honestly don’t think that would have added anything to this for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed reading this one. I really love anything set in Scotland, especially more remote areas that sound cool. The FMC was not my favorite as she seemed to really hold a grudge against the MMC without giving a lot of grace for what happened. Obviously we wouldn't have a story if this wasn't the case, but I still struggled with something about the FMC's attitude. I like the MMC and the family that was established in a previous book. I still would recommend this book, and you might not find the FMC annoying.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

Enemies-to-lovers? Second chance romance? Forced proximity on a grueling Scottish hiking trail? Sign me up. Scot and Bothered is the kind of rom-com that makes you want to buy a plane ticket to Scotland and dramatically pine over your ex while gazing at misty cliffs.

Brooke and Jack are both deliciously stubborn, emotionally bruised, and absolutely meant for each other—even if they refuse to admit it. Their banter is top-tier, the yearning is dialed up to maximum agony, and the forced teamwork on the Skye Trail? Chef’s kiss. You will want to yell at them to just kiss already, but in the best possible way.

If you love a romance with a rugged, outdoor adventure setting, some deep emotional wounds to heal, and a swoon-worthy Scottish love interest (who may or may not deserve to be punched once or twice before redemption), then this book is for you.

The best part of this book was the way the setting felt so present. Every moment was visceral, and it made me want to go hiking. Something about the characters didn’t hit exactly right with me and I ended the book wishing I’d felt more connected, but that frankly could have been the circumstances under which I’m reading the book! I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, and this one had a lot of fun moments. I’ll definitely keep reading in this series and more from Riley.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc. I really enjoyed the second chance dual pov story of Brooke and Jack. The setting added such much to the story and made me want to go to Scotland right away. Kiley has true talent in balancing comedy and prose.

The Scottish countryside and the trail came alive in this love story. It truly overshadowed the second-chance romance.

The duel timeline provides a glimpse into what went wrong many years ago, taking us to the now. The cover is misleading as it is NOT a RomCom, rather its a contemporary romance. I did not expect it to be so heavy.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press

Scot and Bothered
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This was such a simple, cute romance and I mean that in the best way. It was so easy to get lost in this story, I thought the past and present chapters weaved together beautifully. I absolutely loved the setting and Kiley was so descriptive in her writing I felt like I was hiking alongside Brooke and Jack. Nature is so therapeutic and gives us an opportunity to feel again. To take a deep breath, to dive into cold waters, to ground ourselves, and to find pieces of ourselves that maybe we lost. I really connected with those pieces of the story.
🌳
“It’s key that we capture the essence of how transformative it is to be out there, connected to the Earth and the ghosts of the pasts and the hope for the future.”
🍂
It’s dual POV and we do get some spice…the bathtub moment though 🤗 I thought that build up was really good in this one! If you like any kind of roadtrip type romance I would definitely give this one a try! This is pretty much how my husband and I met (it didn’t play out this way lol but it is how we met) so I was totally able to relate to the story and there was a bit of nostalgia for me, reminiscing about that time for us! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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“I’m a ghost. This faded version of myself.”
“You’re still so bright to me.”
“You want to help me broaden my horizons, Jack?”
“Badly.”
💚
Thank you @akileybooks @canarystreetpress and @netgalley for this e-arc, you don’t have to wait long! Scot and Bothered comes out March 4th!

I really enjoyed this! Fabulous yearning by Jack and Brooke. The dual timeline setup really built the tension and exhibited why their relationship didn't work the first time around, although some scenes felt laborious. I liked the hike as a sort of physical and emotional journey for them both as they learned to forgive each other and themselves. Though again, some of the nitty gritty details of her writing and his photography felt like they dragged the plot down. While I would have liked to see Jack and Brooke really hash out their issues more clearly, this made for a really emotional read!!

Thank you for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

Thanks @netgalley @htpbooks and @akileybooks for the chance to read Scot and Bothered. It releases on March 4, 2025.

This is a swoony, second-chance romance that doubles as the perfect armchair travel book. Alex writes with so much heart and with such immersive details that you'll feel like you're hiking alongside Jack and Brooke on the Skye Trail.

Ghostwriter Brooke never got the career she'd planned on after she was expelled from the University of Edinburgh years earlier. Her mentor, Mhairi, gives her a chance to break out of the shadows by being her credited co-writer on her memoir. The only problem is that the sections on the Skye Trail aren't vivid enough, so Brooke agrees to hike the trail with a photographer to fully capture it. The only issue is that the photographer is Mhairi's nephew Jack--the man who shattered her dreams and heart years ago. Can this hike be a second chance for both of them?

Steam: 🔥🔥
Tropes: forced proximity, Scotland, only one tent, second chance romance, enemies to lovers

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ - 4.5 stars! This was such a sweet tale of second chances, and the descriptions and the setting in Scotland made the story all the more magical. The weaving of timelines was so well done, and I was hooked by the first chapter. If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, tension-filled romance that will leave you wrecked in the absolute best way, look no further. But fair warning… you may find yourself booking a trip to the Highlands ✈️ ⛰️

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance copy!

I am being generous and saying it's two stars. I couldn't even make it halfway though I was so bored. Some books I can make myself read them and it starts picking up but this just didn't for me at all. I really tried and I really wanted to like it. I saw the title and cover and was excited for a cute little romance. For me that is not what I got and I hate the time jumps so much. This book was just not for me.

3.5/5 stars

Thanks to Net Galley for the eARC for review

Firstly, this book has made start a Pinterest board for a dream trip to Scotland.

Second chance romances are normally very hit or miss for me but I thought that Scot and Bothered did a pretty good job handling it in a way where it made you believe that the characters could get over their past issues I think the duel timeline was a big part of that and helped to not only give context but flesh out the characters as well.

If you love a second-chance romance packed with yearning, unresolved tension, and the kind of forced proximity that makes you want to scream (in the best way), Scot and Bothered is for you. Brooke and Jack’s story unfolds on the rugged and breathtaking Skye Trail, where they’re forced to work together on a memoir project that just so happens to be deeply personal for both of them. As they hike through Scotland’s moody landscapes, we’re treated to a dual timeline that slowly unravels their past, showing us how they fell in love—and how it all fell apart. The big reveal of their breakup isn’t shocking, but the emotional weight behind it lands perfectly, making their journey back to each other feel that much more satisfying.

Jack is the ultimate book boyfriend—thoughtful, devoted, and completely gone for Brooke, even after all these years. And Brooke? She’s stubborn, guarded, and so deeply relatable in her fear of failure and desire to play it safe. Their dynamic is filled with longing and stolen glances, and while the book isn’t overflowing with spice, the tension is off the charts (seriously, the shared tent scene?!). Beyond the romance, Kiley weaves in meaningful themes of personal growth, creative passion, and finding the courage to chase what you truly want. And of course, the Scottish setting is its own kind of magic—I could practically feel the mist rolling off the Highlands. Whether you’re here for the slow-burn romance, the emotional depth, or just an excuse to mentally transport yourself to Scotland, Scot and Bothered is a trip worth taking

Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️

SPOILER-FREE REVIEW BELOW:

This book spoke to my soul on so many levels. Walking the line between following a dream and working to live—because sometimes they aren't synonymous—can be heartbreaking to navigate, especially when other voices are louder than your own, influencing your decisions.

To find someone who understands you exactly is so beautiful and rare, but adds and extra layer of complications to your journey of dream chasing. How can you live for yourself and for someone else?

Alexandra Kiley told Jack and Brooke's story brilliantly, seamlessly switching between narratives and timelines to give the reader the full picture, even when the characters didn't have it themselves. It was the perfect follow up to her debut novel, Kilt Trip, which I absolutely fell in love with last year.

Now I just have to sit patiently and wait for Reid to get his own happily ever after! 💚

I adored the first book in this series, so it was an automatic request for me! This is a second chance romance, and I loved the characters, however I didn't really care for thr duel timeliness. I loved how Brooke and Jack just click when they first meet, then they discover that they can't be together so a little bit of forbidden romance in the troupe too. This was definitely a fun read! Can't wait for more by Alexandra Kiley!

I absolutely loved this second-chance romance set in Scotland! The setting alone was enough to make me fall in love, with the beautiful landscapes and the rich, atmospheric backdrop. The characters were so well-developed, and I really enjoyed seeing their journey from past heartbreak to rediscovery. There’s just something so heartwarming about a second-chance love story, especially when it unfolds in such a picturesque location. Honestly, do I need to say more? It was everything I wanted in a romance novel—emotional, charming, and just the right amount of swoon-worthy moments.

There was something so heartfelt about the first one in this series that I truly enjoyed and I felt that I didn’t get that in this one. Something felt like it was missing, perhaps the believability of the romance, the chemistry. It’s very clear that this is a continued ode to Scotland but I’m wondering if writing it via romance is the right choice.

Scot and Bothered follows ex's Brooke and Jack, as they hike the Skye Trail. Brooke is looking to add more soul to the memoir she is co-writing with the founder of the trail and Jack is taking pictures for the same memoir that happens to be about his aunt. Along the trail, Brooke and Jack find their way to their true passions, as well as back to each other along the gorgeous backdrop of the Scottish Highlands.

The book is written from the pov of both Brooke and Jack going from present day to their past. The flashbacks were key chapters giving us insight into how their relationship started and why it fell apart. We don't find out till the last quarter of the book what caused them to break up 7 years ago, and while it was a bit predictable, it was not any less impactful to their story.

I felt the character development for both Brooke and Jack was well done. We had enough insight into Brookes past to understand her and learned more about Jack's family to get a better understanding of his motives. Their relationship did not feel rushed and their journey back to each other felt well paced. There were many scenes that I felt the same anxiety and anticipation as the characters (their first kiss, the alcove at the cave, sharing a tent on the hike).

I give it 2.5/5 for spice level. They don't share their first kiss until Chapter 15 (past), with two spicy scenes following chapter 15 (past) and 23 (present). While the title insinuates the book is fairly spicy, there was more yearning/pining which was not a bad thing. The spicy scenes were well timed and written.

I may be biased but having had a recent trip to Scotland, I could easily picture their adventures in Edinburgh as well as in the Isle of Skye. Scotland is an easy country to fall in love with as well as in.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The characters were well cleaned out and I enjoyed Brooke and Jack's story.

This book was more than a romance it dealt with grief in a raw and real way. It was a beautiful book with its up and downs but was all around amazing. I love a second chance romance. Jack is a grade A book boyfriend. This book had me on the edge of my seat hoping it would all work out in the end. Full of second chances, forced proximity and flashbacks. You definitely have to read it.. 100% recommend..