Match Made in the Highlands

A Christmas Eve tour of Scotland's Stirling Castle brings the participants back to the 13th century. I enjoy both time travel novels and the film they referenced (Brigadoon), but the events in this book seemed rushed and the characters were less developed than I like.

Fantasy , reality, romance, twists and drama ... Its a buy buy book.

I had to downgrade this read for at times it was a little too out there and I felt that some parts were rushed as well as the characters needing a little more development..... However,

I was engrossed in the story as it was indeed a little different then the normal time travel romance. During the read, I was transported from the modern world into the other era. It was an interesting plot line written to capture your imagination and keep you wondering what is going to happen next. I really enjoyed all the little pieces of mystery and drama as well as the final passion.

I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

A fairly quick read. Logan and Irene are together on the castle tour in Scotland. I liked the setting, the premise of Brigadoon and the characters overall, but a bit more details and build up would have made a stronger book. More on the three sisters who run the tour, and more on the diary and the reason for Irene's trip in the first place. I liked that it was quick (bigger than a novella, anyway) but at the same time would have preferred more details. Still, a hard book to put down, and I kept waiting to see what was going to happen next. Highly recommend.

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange fro an honest opinion.

This is the first story I have read from this author and I really enjoyed it. I love "Highlanders" and also time travel. This story had a bit of a twist though which was interesting.

Irene is a lawyer from the USA and has gone to Scotland to try and decipher clues that were left in a diary left by her recently deceased mother. Upon their mother's death, Irene and her twin discovered another whole part of their mother's life that they had no idea about. They need closure and questions answered.

Irene, following the clues, goes on a Matchmaker's Tour. This tour is run by three sisters and they take their work seriously. Also on the tour is Logan and his parents. Sparks fly between Logan and Irene.

Some uninvited characters have sneaked in also and they are unbalancing the balance that must be had. Then, a planned wedding falls through and all find out that there is more involved to the "really authentic" look of the castle and grounds. They find that a wedding must take place in order for them to all return.

Will they ever return home?

I like Logan and Irene as a couple. She had recently broken up with a man after he cheated on her. She wasn't particularly broken up, unhappy maybe. She realizes he really wasn't the one. Logan really appreciates Irene's wit and intelligence. Her beauty doesn't hurt either!

They both have challenges to meet, especially Irene. She must figure out the missing parts of her mother's life, one that she never told her daughters about. Logan must deal with his parents.

While I liked the story I felt like it needed a bit more. I felt like some of what Irene was searching for was side-swiped by some of the other issues such as the uninvited guests. I don't even think they needed to be involved in the story after they were turned away from the tour.

The story of Logan's parents just broke my heart and added so much to the rest of the story. I don't do spoilers though!

I do think I would buy this book though as the premise has such promise for a series.

After reading some things in her mother’s diary and wanting to find answers Irene Redmond finds herself traveling to the Scottish Highlands to visit Stirling Castle. When arriving at the castle Irene believes she’s signed up to do a historical tour but soon finds things aren’t quite what she thought they were going to be starting with hearing the word matchmaker over and over again.

The guests are decked out in clothing authentic to the thirteenth century and told to make no mention of the current era after entering the castle. Little does Irene know that the three sisters in charge of the tours are longtime matchmakers that have decided that Logan Mackinnon would be perfect for Irene.

Not only does Irene find herself in the midst of the matchmaking but then finds the castle is enchanted sending the guests to the actual thirteenth century. But unfortunately this trip has come with some trouble makers and things get heated with our guests in danger of not being able to return to their own time.

Match Made in the Highlands is the first book of the Matchmaker Cafe Series. For being a shorter read the story actually surprised me with just how much action the author packed into this story. I found Irene’s quest turned into one that was rather entertaining as the story went along and found myself wondering just what may happen next in her adventure.

Being a short read though I would say the story could have used a bit more depth and explanation here and there as with most novella type of books. I didn’t find this one too terribly lacking though as the story does keep a reader entertained all throughout even without going further into the characters and plot. With time traveling, romance and a bit of historical action set in the highlands this certainly became an interesting read.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.