“A modern-day Ohio woman and a seventeenth-century Scottish laird fall in love at first sight in a magical holiday romance”

Almost Like Being in Love, while slightly implausible, was endearing and charming and a nice light read that’s oftentimes a necessary palate cleanser.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 11.14.23.

I love a good time-travel story, and bonus points for a FMC from Ohio, my own home state, but I struggled getting through this, short story though it may be. Between the way the characters so easily accepted the sudden step through time- and then adjusted to easily to all the changes (even down to no indoor plumbing) as though it was no biggie whatsoever.

The author spent a lot of time explaining the differences in holiday practices from then vs now, but seemed to ignore any other sort of differences, from technologies and sanitation to women’s rights/roles. I guess who cares if you’ve got Christmas feasts and chastely romantic hunks?

That said, if you love Christmas, and clean romance, enough to suspend your disbelief, this story may be more your cup of tea than it was mine.

Thank you Sariah Wilson, Montlake, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a cute and heartwarming holiday novella and it had one of my favorite story plots: time travel. There’s something utterly romantic in how love defeat all logic (even chronologic) and I like how inventive writers get in resolving the temporary hiccup. If you like time travel in your romances, fun tidbits about Christmas, and a Highlander that could charm your pants off, this one is for you!

Maren travels to Scotland with her best friend Penny. They end up in a very bad snow storm and their car simply gave up on them. Luckily they were found and brought to Highglen, a magical time bubble and Maren instantly fell in love with the laird, Duncan Campbell.

The courtship was really cute, and while I usually don’t like characters falling in love that instantly (there wasn’t even a meet cute) I could easily look past that, because (1) this was a novella and (2) Duncan Campbell was the sweetest charmer out there since centuries.

I really liked this novella and at times I wished it was a full fledged novel. It would have been so nice to hang around at Highglen a bit longer. Maren and Duncan were really cute together and I thought they deserved more time to grow even more fond of each other before moving on to the I-love-you-stage, but there was simply no time and that was okay, I really enjoyed their cuteness anyway.

Wonderful story!

This book was so good! Fanciful, magical and beautiful. Set in parallel times between modern day and Scotland at varying times, a story of time travel and love that knows no time.

Maren travels to Scotland to find her uncle, it’s her mother’s dying wish to find out what happened to her brother. She never could have imagined what she found, yet it all somehow makes sense. It was a fast read, holiday book that I enjoyed.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book but my opinions are my own.

Sariah Wilson is an automatic read author for me.

This is a whimsical, magical Scottish romance with a sprinkling of interesting historical information about Christmas traditions.

The blurb:

"A modern-day Ohio woman and a seventeenth-century Scottish laird fall in love at first sight in a magical holiday romance by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.

Maren Kelly and her friend Penny may be lost in the Scottish Highlands, yes. They may be caught in the blizzard of the century, sure. But despite their dire straits, Maren is going to honor her ailing mother’s wish for them to experience all the magic, mystery, and whimsy Scotland has to offer, even if she freezes to death trying. When they’re rescued by the dashing Duncan Campbell, who seems like he walked straight out of the seventeenth century, Maren is more than a wee bit bewildered.

Their shelter is Duncan’s castle in Highglen, a captivating village that feels somehow familiar…as does the laird himself. Brimming with holiday cheer and friendly, boisterous family members, Highglen is a safe haven in the frigid winter storm. Maybe it’s the carolers and the warm hearth—or Duncan’s comforting brogue and stolen kisses—but Maren feels as though she’s come home. And in Duncan, she may have found her long-awaited soulmate.

But is this a miracle that could last a lifetime?"

Many thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars! What a lovely, romantic story! A delightful homage to one of my favorite musicals, "Brigadoon". I could hear Gene Kelly in my head singing the title's song as I read. I really enjoy reading this and will probably read it again to get me into the holiday spirit when it's released in November.

Wilson has once again combined the best elements of a sweet love story with the characters' challenges around making tough decisions while providing the reader with lots of lovely snarky dialogue. Oh yeah, and a little bit of magic.

No profanity or sex scenes...just some smoldering and longing glances and kisses.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I am a fan of books like Outlander - heroine goes back in time and meets hunky Scotsman. Yes you have to suspend your idea of reality but it drags you in. In “Almost Like Being in Love” Maren and her best friend Penny travel to Scotland at Christmas in search of her uncle who had disappeared in the highlands. After getting caught in a freak snowstorm and their car breaking down they do the incredibly “smart” thing - they get out of their car in the middle of nowhere (remember it’s snowing) thinking they “saw a light.” Enter said hunky Scotsman (from the 1600’s) who saves them before they die of hyperthermia taking them to his magical Christmas village where he (gasp!) falls madly, immediately in love with Maren.

Now don’t get me wrong - I love a Hallmark Christmas movie and this seemed to be ripped right out of a script. I’m sorry, though - this was too cringy even for me. Now I know it’s a novella so there is little time to build up the angst… but come on, give me a little tension between the male and female protagonists. I wanted to like it but found myself cringing way to much.

This is a fun, steamy but clean Christmas romance with a bit of magic thrown in. I enjoyed reading about all the Scottish Christmas traditions. Maren and Duncan were a great couple. Duncan’s family really adds to the story and I would love to have the sister’s stories to read.

Oh my goodness! This book was adorable! I was not expecting the time travelling aspect (I started reading it without reading the back). I absolutely loved it! The romance was swoon worthy without getting too steamy. I mean who wouldn’t want to time travel back (or forward) and fall in love with a handsome Scot. I loved both the heroine's and hero's moral compass- with strong commitments to their responsibilities while still making things work in the end (I won't say more... otherwise spoilers). This was just a good, fun, sweet romance! Sariah Wilson’s books are always a must-read but this book went to the top of the list for me. It may just be my new favorite romance!

Time travel, a Scottish hottie, and a swoon-worthy romance?? YES, please!

Sariah Wilson's Christmas novella is such a treat! I normally steer away from novellas (because I prefer longer books), but I'm so glad I decided to read this one. It is the perfect book to escape your everyday life and be immersed in Maren and Duncan's love story. Be warned, you may find yourself wanting to book a trip to Scotland or climb inside a wardrobe....Yes, I said a wardrobe. Just read the book and you'll know why!

I really hope Sariah writes a Christmas novella each year, because I definitely want more!

Trigger warning: dying parent

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was a cute and short read, exactly what you want when you don't have much time but still need some romance in your life.
I really liked the plot twist about the time travel. I can't say what it was because, you know, spoilers, but I was pleasantly surprised and made me like it more.
The relationship between Maren and Duncan is adorable, and their connection is immediate and strong.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.