High Heels in the Highlands

Yes, this is written by a lady called Liz Hurley. No, it isn't the actress who's famous for 'that' dress 🧷

It wasn't till I'd got more than a few chapters in as I marked it down on Goodreads as reading, that I realised this was part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone, as I soon found out more about the Hiverton sisters & their backgrounds.

Not everyday you find you've inherited a castle up in The Highlands is it? This is exactly what's happened to the Hiverton sisters, or should that be 'ladies' to give them their newly inherited titles. Clementine heads to Scotland to their newly inherited home, the delapidated Ruacoddy Castle, what will she discover & just exactly what secrets is the attic hiding?

Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.

I gave this book a 4 ⭐ rating

Have the urge to go to Scotland? Because this book is just what you need!

With the quarantine and travelling plans put to a halt, it's always nice to discover new worlds through words and this book was the perfect getaway for Scotland! So much detail and thought went into the setting, making sure the reader saw exactly what the author was imagining at the moment. It was nice to get a glimpse into the author's mind but to also make it our own in our own imagination.

This really was a feel good book. I love the name Clementine for starters, how cute and feel-good is that name? Clementine herself was a very hot-headed and stubborn character which made her all the more likable and perfect for Rory. Also, the fact that she's a fashion designer that goes to live in a run-down castle in a rural area is just wonderful juxtaposition!

This is my first book I've read in this series and by Liz Hurley and I am determined to read about the rest of the sisters and their adventures!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera for the earc in return for an honest review.

I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley. This was the perfect book for an uplifting read in one sitting. It makes the reader want to book a trip immediately to the Scottish Highlands. The main character is loveable and spirited and the romance heartwarming. This is the third novel in the Hiverton Sisters Series and I fully intend to purchase and read the previous two! A feel good romance!

Clem Hiverton is a fashion designer who has recently been betrayed by her lover and mentor who stole her collection and fired her. Because her eldest sister Ari just inherited a title and a fortune, Clem volunteers to travel to Scotland to inspect a property that is part of the inheritance and determine if it can be monetized (it is currently a money pit) or sold. Clem almost immediately falls in love with the castle and the Highlands, but she clashes with the strong-willed housekeeper, Ottoline (Otto). As she works hard to find a way to save the property from being sold, save the jobs of the staff working there, and reclaim her inspiration, Clem and Otto learn to work together and even respect each other. But Otto has a secret that could ruin the Hiverton family, and Clem will have to decide how to handle a very tricky situation.

This book is entirely delightful. Clem is a prickly heroine, likely to fly into a rage at any moment, but quick to regret her hurtful words. Otto is equally prickly, but in contrast her calm is unshakeable. While there is what I would call a romantic romance in the novel, between Clem and local farmer Rory, it is the relationship between Clem and Otto that is the beating heart of this book. I don’t know if there is a female equivalent of bromance, but if there is this book is the embodiment of it. Clem’s relationship with her sisters, who are all unique and strong-willed in their own ways, and with the locals, like Mari the daughter of the pub owner, are all heart-warming and lovely. It is also interesting to note that Clem has a learning disability, probably undiagnosed dyslexia, which has a huge impaction her life, but doesn’t prevent her from being very intelligent and resourceful. It is rare to see something like this portrayed realistically and compassionately in fiction.

The setting is perfect: the description of beauty juxtaposed with the terrible weather give a realistic impression of the Highlands. The locals are warm and quirky, and I would be just about ready to move there if this book wasn’t fiction.

I don’t want to give spoilers, but at some point an element from another genre I absolutely loved is introduced, as if I didn’t already love this book enough. I give this book 4.5 stars, but the only reason the half star is deducted is because my personal rating system allows me to give five start only to books that made me cry, and this one warmed me to my core but was too uplifting to make me cry.

I didn’t know as I read that this book is part of the series, so there are more books to read about two of Clem’s sisters, with at least one more to come. Sadly, these are not set in Scotland, but I’m certain Hurley will make the other locales (one of them Cornwall) equally delightful.

There is so much to like about this book. The friendship and love of the sisters shines through and who could resist the beautiful old castle with its hidden treasures

Clem falls in love with not only the castle but the highlands too and wants to find a way to save the money pit of a building The difficult relationship between Otto and Clem is beautifully written, they both have things in their past that need to be addressed before they enjoy their future

The only thing I didn’t like was the ending, it just didn’t fit the rest of the book.

"He rescued me from a sheep. I'm going to rescue him from a shrew." - I just love this quote so much!
If I had to describe this novel in one word I'd simply call it delightful. Cause it is! From head to toe, or from beginning to end.
I haven't read any of the previous books in this series, but that didn't seem to matter. At no point did I feel like I was missing something. This novel has aspects of family, of friendship, and romance - old and new.
The characters are quirky and relatable. The plot, especially towards the end, is a bit far-fetched, but not in a way that made me uncomfortable. The reason I'm only giving it four stars that it was a bit muddled in the end and suddenly there were a couple of new characters that hadn't been there before. All in all, however, I really enjoyed this!

***ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for honest review ****

Scottish men, castles , fashion design and a clumsy protagonist who speaks her mind, right away I knew this was going to be my kind of book.
It all starts out when the main character Clem (Clementine) is screwed over by her horrible boss and needs a place to lay low while she figures out her next moves. Enter the beautiful Scottish estate her sister has inherited , complete with horrible electric and a surly house maid who butt heads with Clem from the start. Ireally enjoyed seeing the main character Clem grow independently as a woman before finding herself a man. The additional perspectives provided by the housekeeper Otto were welcome and I really enjoyed the bickering between her and Clem and was happy when I began to warm up to her that Clem did as well because Otto slowly became a favorite character of mine. My one criticism would be that in the chapters that switch perspectives it is not labeled, which can at times be confusing. But I am not sure if that will be resolved before the final publishing date!
I was not aware that this was a part of a series and will definitely be looking up the others to add to my TBR!

I thought this book was a lot of fun! The characters were likable. I wouldn't say the story was eloquently written; however, the tone fit the atmosphere. There was a bit of a plot twist and the romance wasn't the main driver in this book. I found myself smiling several times throughout the book. Overall it's a lighthearted, feel good read.

High Heels in the Highlands is the fourth book in The Hiverton series. The cover page mentions it to be an uplifting, heart-warming romantic comedy; and it is exactly that! Ari, Clem, Nick, Paddy and Aster–are the five Hiverton sisters. Brought up in a loving family, the death of their parents under unforeseen circumstances leads to Ari and Clem becoming the guardians for the younger siblings. I simply adored the powerful bond the sister’s share. Each one so different from the other in temperament and behavior; and yet always there for each other.

An unexpected inheritance brings about a change in fortune. From a dirt-poor family, they become Countesses or Ladies–owners of the vast Hiverton Estate in Scotland. Ari, the eldest daughter, inherits a castle after the demise of their maternal uncle. An uncle they never knew existed!

The main protagonist of this cute rom-com is Clem. She is not a ‘perfect’ heroine, she has her flaws. Prone to sudden outbursts, reading disabilities, foul-mouthed and yet underneath all her quirks is a kind-hearted person who is helpful and forgiving. She is a talented fashion designer, who is deceived by her boss, Symeon Fransesco. Clem volunteers to visit the Ruacoddy Castle and understand the affairs of the estate. She starts off on the wrong foot with Ottoline Farano, or Otto the Housekeeper, who is rude, judgmental and bossy. The relationship mellows with time, as both learn to trust each other and develop a warm and beautiful friendship.

A visit to the supermarket on a snowy evening turns exciting, as she falls into a ditch trying to free a trapped sheep. And therein comes our hero, Rory Gowan, a local farmer. It is not love at first sight, for he is an awful bearded man who looks dreadful to Clem. But with time their friendship blossoms into love, and a surprising confession by Clem in front of an entire congregation seals the deal.

Clem explores the castle, and a surprise discovery in the attic helps the sisters in coming up with a plan to keep the castle in the family, and not sell it. Everything seems to go well until the discovery of a fake art piece in the prestigious V&A gallery. Unfortunately for Clem, the person who has forged the art piece is close to her, and the idea of turning the person into the cops fills her with dread. Will the sisters save the castle, and the person involved?

Exotic locales, terrible weather, friendly yet quirky locals, a fashion show and on top of all - a heist makes this an exciting and delightful read.  

A must read for every die-hard romantic out there!

Thank you #NetGalley and #HeraBooks for the ARC.

The Forth in the series but you don't have to have readthe first two but I do recommend them. Ace story. High heels definetley come in to it and make you laugh. As for the houes keeper Otto, just a brilliant character. Loved her. The love element with Clem was great..Lots of small stories in the book. The fashion element great.. A must read. So glad I have discovered Liz Hurley. Can't wait for number 5

This was such a cute book! I loved the setting and the premise of the castle. Clem was a thoroughly enjoyable protagonist to read about. A fashion designer with a tragic past, she deals with the inheritance of a castle in Scotland with her sisters. I'll be looking for the other books in the series to read as well!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was mesmerized by the characters that roared to life in this book. Clementine and Ottoline’s relationship was incredible and something that we don’t see enough of in contemporary fiction. Thank you for writing this Ms Hurley - you now have a new fan.

Really enjoyed this one. Clem is one of 5 sisters who inherited a lot of property and money when their uncle died. Clem offers to go to Scotland and check out the estate there, and see what should be done with the money pit. When she gets there, she has a lot of negative run-ins with Otto, the housekeeper. Both have short tempers and butt heads a lot. She also meets Rory, a local sheep farmer, and they too butt heads a lot. I like how while they are all quarreling, they are also learning to respect each other too, as they learn to understand each other. Clem is a clothing designer, and finds a lot of old costumes and fabric, and builds on it for a future exhibit in London. Between meeting the locals, and dealing with her 4 sisters this book kept me pushing to find out the end. Highly recommend this one, and while it is the 3rd book, I didn't feel lost. I have the 2nd one and will start that one next. Fun series and books.

A charming upbeat rom-com with a bit of mystery/adventure thrown in. Set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands with interesting and funny characters. A perfect escapist read. I loved this book.

I loved this book! I was delighted to find it was another book in the lives of the Hiverton Sisters, I'd previously read Ari's story. I have to say I gobbled it up and it's the perfect bit of escapism we need during these times. It has a well-paced plot, a great cast of ensemble characters and several unruly pets which always add to proceedings. The landscape and the buildings are also characters in their own right and it all adds up to a really good read!
Clem is a great character, a feisty fast-thinking girl who sometimes opens her mouth before putting her brain in gear - I really liked how the relationship between her and Otto developed through the book. They are delightfully spikey at the start but things change.....
Clem's exuberance and love of fashion really comes through, I could really see her dancing in the ballroom round all the dummies with vintage clothes on - it's my most memorable scene from the book.
I liked the way the romance didn't take over the plot - there was plenty going on that held any 'excessive mushiness' at bay but it did keep your interest.
I did pick up echoes of Lucinda Riley's Seven Sisters series but I really did like this story and am looking forward to more please! So grab a cuppa, find your favourite chair and disappear for a couple of hours with this lovely little gem.
Thank you to Hera and Net Galley for an advance reading copy.

A lovely feel good story, I hadnt realised there were others in the series but it in no way ruined the story.
It is set in a castle in Scotland which 5 sisters inherit. The character Clementine or Clemmy for short goes to the castle to see what they (the sisters ) can do to turn it around rather than selling it. Clemmy falls in love with the castle and even manages to make friends with its formidable live in house keeper Ottioline in the end.
A definite must read, I wanted to go and live in the castle myself

This was a super cute romantic comedy! Clementine is hilarious as she navigates the new role and responsibility of being a Lady. Her relationship with Otto, the head housekeeper, was endearing. I loved seeing their relationship start off so rocky and rough to strong and full of familial love.
Rory Cowan, the love interest, was perfect for Clementine. He balanced her out, and wasn't afraid to say so!
I feel like this story could've moved at a faster pace.... Some parts were definitely filler, and didn't really add to the story. Overall though.... A fun and cute read for the romantic at heart.

First of all I hadn’t realised this was part of a series. It doesn’t matter as it works well as a stand-alone but I usually like to explore the whole set in order. Great story with some great characters ( I especially loved Ottoline) . I’ve read many similar castle stories but this was an enjoyable read.

Loved this romantic books! Was lovely to read about Clem in the highlands. All the other characters add to the story especially the dynamic between Clem & Otto. Perfect summer read

A genuinely warm, feel-good book. Clem and her sisters have just inherited their families estates and it’s clems responsibility to go and spend time at the Scottish highlands estate and see how it is run. The entire electrics need rewiring, the kitchen needs redoing and the main housekeeper Otto has no desire to greet Clem warmly.

Clem sets up her business (designing) in the old ballroom and sets to work designing her own new collection - using the antiques in the house as inspiration. The locals are warm and friendly to her and her designing is going well... until her older sister decides the highlands estate needs to generate an income and a coach load of tourists arrives to disrupt her work!

It is a funny, romantic book and I loved the main character Clem who was a petite whirlwind. The humour in the book was funny and I liked the fact there were multiple different locations and lots of interesting characters. I would love to read books about the other sisters and see how they’re coping after inheriting both money and new responsibilities.

The book itself was slightly random though, it did jump into a part of a crime drama halfway through (no spoilers!) that made me feel like I was reading a completely different book for a chapter or two - but it was interesting, kept the pace of the book quite quick and explained the unique personality of one of the main characters!
All in all, a lovely book that I’d recommend to family and friends.

High Heels in the Highlands by Liz Hurley

Clement is the second eldest in a family of 5 sisters who have had, a loving, but relatively poor upbringing upon the sudden death of both parents when she was in her teens but now they discover on the death of a distant relative they have a title and estates. Part of which is a castle in Scotland and Clem is sent to make it viable and decide whether to keep or sell it off.

Great book loved it a couldn’t put it down and how I laughed.

A great warm hearted well written book by Liz Hurley.

Fabulous Characters, great humour and a few twists along the way and the scenery is so well described you think you are tramping through the hills with Clem.

This review is my honest review in exchange for a free arc from netgalley.

This is the second book I have read about the sisters. At first I just thought it was familiar but then it dawned on me.
Clementine and her sisters have recently discovered they are the rightful heirs to a family dynasty. They are each a Lady.
After years of living in east end poverty each of the sisters bow has the time and money to shine.
Clementine is a budding fashion designer and she soon integrates herself into the local community of the family pad in the highlands by making herself known.
She makes friends with the locals including Rory.
Rory and his large family love in the next farm.
I loved the unassuming nature of Lady Clem and the abrasive but ultimately kind hearted Otto.
In short, this is a favourite series of books and I will be recommending them and also seeking the other out to catch

I fell in love with the story almost immediately even though at first I didn’t like Clem or Otto at all. But as the story continued and I got to know them better I started to like them and eventually I came to adore them.

I am very much like those two, I have a temper on me but I can apologize when I am wrong.

Oh and Rory...nice, gorgeous Rory...I wish I had my own Rory.

All in all High Heels in the Highlands was a highly enjoyable romance story, with some twists and lots of fun and love.

I only realized this was not the first book in a series after I started reading but that didn’t bother me and I’m pretty sure you can read it without knowledge of the other books.

I’m giving 4 stars though because the ending killed me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for my copy.

though I did not realize that this was part of a series at first, it was not a confusing book since it can be read as a standalone if you'd like. the book focuses on clem, who moves to Scotland to see the castle that she inherited. there is a bit of romance, but th main focus is clem and otto's friendship. overall a great read to get away from the pandemic we are dealing with

If you enjoy Katie Fforde books then this should be your jam. Featuring a wonderful cast of characters and a prickly heroine who is finding her footing after getting dumped/losing her job. I enjoyed getting to know Clem and watching her bloom after going through everything. Just a note the book ends more of HFN.

Absolutely loved this book. Clem is a blunt, no nonsense, tell it like it is person. She and Otto are so funny in how they interact with each other. Rory has the patience of a saint in dealing with Clem. Her sisters are so different and she deals with each one differently. Loved the ending.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC copy of this book available to me.

First off, I did really enjoy this book. I liked the progression of the relationship between Clementine (aka Clem) and "Otto", the housekeeper. I thought that the Clem/Rory scenes were handled in a very entertaining way, especially the sheep-in-a-snowbank initial meeting scene.

However, I think that labeling this book as a rom-com is problematic. There are not enough outright funny scenes, and the romance between Clem and Rory was quite a minor part to the overall book. So, I can understand why some of the reviewers ranked this book down a bit because of the lack of more romance. Perhaps this book would be better labeled as the more generic "women's fiction". I had read the previous two novels in this series, so I wasn't surprised by the lack of more romance or comedy, but I enjoyed the book on its own merits nonetheless.

#netgalley
I received this book for an honest review

Oh wow such a fun read! A great read for summer. The characters were funny and light.

#HighHeelsintheHighlands #NetGalley

After an Uncle passes away Clem and and her sisters find themselves heirs to a massive fortune they had no idea existed.
Clem leaves London and heads out to the Scottish highlands to check out a castle they inherited.

Clem was one hilarious, fierce female full of heart and at times lots of spitfire! I loved her personality and her intense loyalty to her sisters and her friends.

Clem has a heart of gold, and I loved seeing her make new friends in the Highlands. She has plenty of hilarious run ins with the locals including the curmudgeon castle keeper, a sheep, a very rugged farm hand, a whole pub, and the entire castle staff and several cats.

This was a fun, light hearted read that made me smile, and laugh. I enjoyed it so much! It incorporated fashion, art, farming, and family, into this tiny town of strange characters and it blended so perfectly.

Clem reminded me of a modern day Princess Merida. She had the fiery spirt, loyalty, and the intense love for her family and of course that fantastic red hair! She was an amazing character, I loved everything about her!

A beautiful, fashionable story about love and family relations. Clem starts really low and comes up her own way! It's beautiful and wonderful how she meets every single character and how she creates a bond with each and every one of them. My favorite character has to be Otto, gotta love some sass!
This was such a great read for Winter, I felt so good and fuzzy reading it! Just grab yourselves a cup of coffee or tea and put on some comfy pajamas and get to read this book!

I really love this series so I'm so glad there was another to get stuck into.

This one is set just after the first book and although you can probably read fine without reading the others, I would recommend reading them so that you get the full background of the characters (they are brilliant books too, the first book was in my top 10 favourite reads of the year!).

What I really like about this series are the completely different characters. Although there are quite a few sisters, they are as different as chalk and cheese with their own way of dealing with things.

A brilliant series that I genuinely love - I can't wait to read more.

Omg y'all!!! This was such a fun and cute read. Wow, it was exactly what I needed to read. Love the main character and her wittiness and absolutely loved the writing. It really transported you into the book!

This is the first of Liz Hurley's books I've read, only to find out that there are more in this series. I'd like to read the other books to hear more about the sisters.

Clem is the second oldest sister and a fashion designer. I loved learning more about the life of a designer and the challenges she faced.

The writing was excellent, the relationships between the sisters felt authentic. The author includes many unique characters which adds layers to the book.

I would have liked to read more about the relationship between Rory and Clem. It didn't feel developed enough for me - maybe I wanted more romance in the story?

Overall, I'd recommend and would gladly read more by this author.

A deliciously fun read. A girl in high heels, an acerbic housekeeper, a castle, a hunky farmer and cats, this story is full of humor and grit. Although there's a lot of head-hopping, the thrill of the plot along with a superb cast make this a fabulous read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an arc of this title in exchange for an honest review.

This was the perfect afternoon escape! A light romantic comedy that features sisterly rivalry and a dilapidated castle in the Highlands.

Clem is determined to assess how salvageable the castle is. Her sister Ari has entrusted her to conduct inventories, propose renovations and brainstorm how the rambling estate can pay for itself. She doesn't expect to meet an arrogant sheep farmer or a prickly housekeeper. And she doesn't expect to find a treasure trove that could restore her career and make her mark.

Rory may be a sheep farmer, but he certainly isn't immune to the charms of the brash, temperamental whirlwind that is Clem. He even comes up with a nickname for her-- and according to his family, that's something he never does. But can she be convinced to abandon her life in London?

A easy lighthearted read that is perfect for on the beach or unwinding after a long day at work. I did not realise it was part of a series and whilst it is stand alone, there are a few mentions which make more sense now I know they are covered more fully elsewhere. I will read the other books.

Great for transporting you to another world. One of Scottish caste leaders, fashion shows and exhibitions at the V &A, none of which are accessible at present and so why not get lost in a boom and enjoy their fictional versions.

Clem is a fiesta character and, if she were not the focus of the book, might come across as too rude and hot headed, but because we get to read her thought, we understand,

Get away from lockdown and enjoy this land of make believe and get to met someone different peopl.

I really fell head over heels in love with the story. It had everything I want from a good feelgood novel. A little lost main character with passion? Check. An ensemble of supporting characters that makes you want to move and become everyone’s friends? Check. Set in a place that makes me want to pack my bags and escape immediately? Check. A dash of romance with a nice love interest? Check.
I had a really hard time putting the book down and just wanted to continue reading it. The only negative thing about the book I could say is that the ending could have been a bit better done. Otherwise, I thought this book was just great! I am really looking forward to reading the books that already exist in the series and the books to come. Recommend it to all feelgood lovers out there!

I think it is sad that the genre “Feelgood” is not really a thing in English. In Sweden it is a very established genre among the public, publishers, and booksellers. Because I saw some reviews that was not a fan of the book because they thought it was going to be a rom com. This book is not a rom com it is a feelgood story and in feelgood the romance takes a backseat, and the focus is the struggles of the main character. I just thought it was sad that such a good book got bad reviews because people not liking the genre picked it up thinking it was another genre all together.


SPOILER
I also found a small plot hole in the story page 580. The character lives on Malta where they just as UK drives on the left side of the road. So, he should be used to left side traffic and not look the wrong way so easily. “Today, four countries in Europe continue to use LHT; they are all island nations: the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland (formerly part of the United Kingdom) and Cyprus and Malta (both former British colonies).” From Wikipedia.

When Clem finds herself jobless after her boss and lover steals credit for her fashion collection, she escapes to the Scottish castle her family have recently inherited for a break and to explore whether or not it needs to be sold.
She doesn't bargain on galling in love with the place and the people that surround it, therefore she must find a way to sustain and keep it.
My favorite part of the book had to be the relationship between Clem and Otto, both formidable women, reluctant to drop their guards, the pair form an unlikely but strong bond, which I enjoyed seeing develop.
I loved the characters, I could feel them come to life on the pages and I appreciated the deviation from the usual heroine to a tiny flame haired beauty.
A fab book that I didn't want to put down, a true immersive read, where you are transported to a wonderful Scottish castle.

This was such a lovely, humorous, light hearted and heartwarming read. The scenic setting was inspired and the descriptive writing brings the Scottish Highlands to life in glorious colour.
I literally read it in one sitting, not wanting to put it down once started.
This book had everything , romance, family drama, a mystery to uncover and beautiful.fashions .
I absolutely loved this book and will definitely read the others in the series. This is easily read as a standalone as the author fills in all the backstory relevant for you. I thoroughly recommend this.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I’ve read and enjoyed the previous books in this series. I was not disappointed with this.

I was hooked from the beginning.

Yes, there’s romance in the story, but most of the book is about Clem, whose the main protagonist and Otto, her housekeeper.

I loved how there relationship, a rocky start begins to turn into a beautiful female friendship.

The story is revolves around Clem and she’s adjusting to life in Scotland, the way she finds her mojo and ways to stop her family from selling the castle, even though it’s a money pit.

A book with a feel good plot about a heroine, whose not perfect, but can prove herself, despite her mistakes.

Can’t wait for the next book.

Recommend the series.

I really enjoyed this story.

Obviously for me, the Scottish castle part was a go-go from the very beginning, but Clem is so refreshing ! She's not another romance main character, and probably does she remember me a bit of myself (unfortunately not the sewing bee part :'( )

Even if the whole "painting" subplot could have been cut, and a little more romance added (Rory is so nice but I am not even sure to know exactly what he looks like!), I wish I could stay with her in that castle a little longer.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eArc in exchange of an honest review.