Darcie Freeman has been sentenced to three weeks on Skye to put together a book on visiting Skye while her main social media competitor is away in the sunshine.

Darcie does not expect to fall for Skye or it’s people the way she does.

A fab story about the importance of living in the moment and finding yourself. Set in beautiful Skye it’s a lovely read all round.

The beautiful Skye is a perfect setting for this book and there were lots of famous landmarks featured, I just didn't connect with Darcie, I think it's fair to say we are just not like-minded. This made me not feel invested fully with the story or the ultimate quest they embark on. However I did love Logan and his sister Iona, and there is plenty to enjoy if you like folklore and mysteries.

Darcie is sent to the Isle of Skye for some book research. It’s really the last place she wants to be.
Enter Logan who is supposed to take her around Skye.
I didn’t really care too much for Darcie at the beginning of the book. She changes as the book goes along and by the end I liked her a whole lot more.
This was a little romance mixed with a little mystery.
It’s a nice addition to this series.

Thank you HarperCollins, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for this ARC.

First off all, I'm a sucker for a Scotland setting, and reading about the Isle of Skye has only solidified its position in my top 3 travel goals.

Secondly, I enjoyed the treasure hunt aspect of this book a lot.

Now, onto the characters, the MMC was fun and adventurous, and the secondary characters were great as well. The FMC, unfortunately, came across as standoffish, arrogant, and I, personally, found her insufferable.

She describes herself as "an immature, jealous, cretin" and "self-absorbed liar with no moral compass. Someone who only cared about her social media likes and her own self-interest.". At least she's self-aware, so there's that.

Oh, but doesn't she get better by the end? Sure. And isn't there a reason for her behavior? Absolutely.
In fact, there's a paragraph explaining exactly why she is the way she is, and while I can sympathize, and the dislike lessened throughout the book, she still didn't win me over.

Did I like this book? As a tale of adventure, yes. They go on a few excursions for her travel guide and then there's the treasure hunt aspect, both of which I enjoyed.

As a romance, though, I admit my dislike for the FMC + the MMC's sister's dating history, which was a tad on the nose, left me a bit skeptical about it.

If, like me, you struggle with the FMC, I recommend you push past the first six chapters, as it does start to improve from there.

I'm giving it 3stars, since I liked the setting, the plot, and most of the characters.

Charming book, perfect as a beach read or a distraction on a quiet afternoon

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

Having visited Scotland last April, this book was an even bigger treat for me. The descriptions of the area were beautiful and I can say the author is spot on in her description of the weather :) This book was so much more than I thought it was going to be. I love the mystery that was woven into the story. I will definitely read more by this author. I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collin UK, One More Chapter for providing this book, with my honest review below.

A Scottish Island Summer was the type of sweep you away book that filled the brief, being charming and easy to read and taking place in an absolutely gorgeous location. There are dashes of mystery to accompany the romance and some self discovery and empowerment that make this book an easy way to wile away the day.

Darcie is the one spending her summer on the Scottish Island of Skye (three weeks to be exact) though it doesn’t feel like fun to her given she’s only in the remote location because she feels she’s playing second fiddle to another influencer and the travel guide she’s been asked to write could help raise her profile. Sadly while Skye is full of charming people and gorgeous scenery, Darcie is more concerned about her hair going frizzy and curly in the non stop rain (same though, girl). But as the weeks go on Darcie finds herself thawing with her guide and brother of the local PR rep, Logan, and starts to realize her shallow existence chasing likes and sponsorships may not carry as much meaning as she thought. Add to that a real Skye mystery and we see Darcie start to come into her own… but it may be too late for her fledgling romance.

A wonderful bit of escapism with a beautiful setting, romance and a bit of adventure. I fell in love with Skye and the characters. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

It took me a bit to get into this one, but one I did I enjoyed it. Skye makes a beautiful backdrop for this romance and tiny mystery. A nice bit of escapism doe sure!

I'm grateful to have enjoyed an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley.

Darcie is a young single woman in her 20s that loves adventure, but is primarily focused on her career and not on romantic relationships. I always find storylines amusing when a woman comes across a man she fights against her attraction to, and this one certainly didn't disappoint. It was so fun to read and see how Darcie grew in more ways than one, especially after letting down her guard with Logan.

If you're up for character transformation, an adventurous storyline, redemption, and achieving hopes and dreams, besides opening up your heart, this book would be right up your alley. As an American, I find the Scottish elements of this book to be quite amusing, as I'm certain that you might too.

This book was darling!!! I fell in love with the main character! The setting was beautiful and it pulled all the heartstrings. Loved it!

This was brilliant . Set mainly on the Isle of Skye . I thought it would be a nice love story but it was way more than that . A blogger from London was sent to write a travel guide. Great story and a fab ending. Some good twists. Read it

Opposites eventually attract, enemies to lovers - egotistical spoiled city girl, and earthy logical local boy have forced proximity as she has to navigate the wilds of Sky to try and resurrect her career nosedive, of her own doing (which she doesn't seem aware of). Funny moments but no real surprises.

An excellent read. This book has a beautifully designed setting and with that background, a mystery, a range of characters; eccentric and otherwise, and a romance. What is not to like about that? Well written, the story grabs the reader’s attention right from the very start.

ARC Review: *A Scottish Island Summer* by Julie Shackman

Julie Shackman sweeps readers away to the enchanting Isle of Skye in *A Scottish Island Summer*, a heartwarming and humorous journey of self-discovery, love, and the magic of the Highlands.

The Plot:
Darcie Freeman, a high-flying city girl, lives for the hustle and bustle of London life. But when her job forces her to trade skyscrapers for Scottish cliffs, she’s less than thrilled. The assignment? Research the idyllic Isle of Skye for a travel guide. To Darcie, it’s a death sentence for her designer wardrobe and social media aesthetic.

Enter Logan Burns, the ruggedly handsome islander who becomes her reluctant guide. With his windswept hair and love for Skye’s untamed beauty, Logan is determined to show Darcie that there’s more to life than Instagram filters and fancy cocktails. Alongside his quirky sister Iona, who runs a chaotic PR company, Logan drags Darcie into island adventures she never signed up for—think sheep herding, whisky tasting, and more rain than she’s ever seen in her life.

But as Darcie exchanges her stilettos for hiking boots and discovers hidden gems of Skye, she also finds herself opening up to a slower, more meaningful way of life. And maybe, just maybe, she’s falling for the island… and the man who calls it home.

**What to Expect**:
- **City Girl Meets the Highlands**: A classic opposites-attract romance with plenty of sparks flying between a city girl out of her element and a rugged islander who’s her complete opposite.
- **Humor & Heart**: Darcie’s misadventures on Skye bring plenty of laughs, but beneath the banter lies a deeper story about finding yourself where you least expect it.
- **Breathtaking Scenery**: Shackman’s vivid descriptions of Skye’s windswept beaches, misty mountains, and charming village life will have you booking a one-way ticket to Scotland.
- **Warm, Relatable Characters**: From Iona’s quirky PR mishaps to Logan’s brooding charm, every character brings their own flair to this charming story.
- **A Slow-Burn Romance**: The tension between Darcie and Logan builds beautifully, leading to moments that are as sweet as they are swoon-worthy.

**Rating**: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)
**Verdict**: *A Scottish Island Summer* is a delightful, feel-good read that will transport you straight to the heart of the Highlands. Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan and Katie Fforde, this book is a love letter to Scotland, romance, and finding home in the unlikeliest of places. Cozy up with a cup of tea and let Julie Shackman’s storytelling whisk you away on a perfect summer escape.