WOW. How does it she do it? This was another beautifully written, incredibly poignant, beautifully romantic and highly descriptive second chance romance. I loved it so much - the characters, the scenery and the plot were equally stunning and I would give this more than 5 stars if I could!!!

I really appreciated the Scottish setting of the book – the descriptions of the landscape were captivating, and I enjoyed immersing myself in that scenery. However, the romance storyline left me feeling underwhelmed. Unfortunately, it just didn’t resonate with me, and ultimately, I found it wasn’t for me.

The book took me a lot longer to finish than expected, not because it was overly long, but because the plot felt quite tedious and overwritten. It just wasn’t gripping enough to maintain my attention.

As for the romance, I struggled to connect with the characters, particularly Brooke. I didn’t feel any real emotional depth beyond physical attraction or the idea of rekindling an old flame. Perhaps if there had been more context about what transpired with each of them during the years they were apart, I would have been able to invest more in their relationship. Without that, it just didn’t have the weight I was hoping for.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you SO much to Bonnier Books for issuing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a feel-good book!

I felt so immersed in the scenery and the journey. It brought back so many memories of sticking out a rainstorm in my tent, laughing despite blistered feet, and sharing stories with strangers round a camp stove in many a bothy! I loved the way Kiley captured the spirit of these hiking in Scotland so perfectly. Being brought along Brooke, Jack AND Mhairi’s story was so heartwarming!

I initially found it quite hard to look past some sometimes clumsy but well-intentioned attempts as Scottish dialect and slang. Though, being an east coaster myself, I appreciated the representation of Jack’s family being in Fife!

This book made me laugh, yearn, cry and most of all, feel incredibly nostalgic. I really enjoyed it!

Though, if Alexandra Kiley ever needs an addition to the Scottish beta-reader team to avoid easy mistakes like the specificity of the word “quid”, count me in!

Sweet and adorable second chance romance! I loved the chemistry between Jack and Brooke, and the softness in the emotional relationship each of them had with Mhairi really helped to pull the story through those initial antagonistic stages. The wild swimming descriptions were spot on, and the whole thing was just a really enjoyable, atmospheric romance.

4 ⭐

Arc review

After stumbling across Kilt Trip in a bookshop in Edinburgh (fitting I know) I was delighted in fining out there would be a sequel to this series.

Following the story of Brooke and Logan's brother Jack they must hike the Skye trail to bring to life Jack Aunt and Brookes mentor Mhairi to life. As someone who has travelled a lot of Scotland, born in Glasgow and who's family is Scottish this book was so beautiful at describing how incredible the Highlands are and the walks you can do.

I enjoyed Jack and Brookes developing story through the book even though if at times I wanted to scream at them, I am happy they both got a happy ending.

💚 Second chance romance
💚 Forbidden romance
💚 Dual timeline
💚 Forced proximity
💚 “Its always been you”

After thoroughly enjoying Kilt Trip, I was thrilled to receive this ARC, and it did not disappoint!

Jack is a Scottish landscape photographer and Brooke is a ghost writer. They met at the University of Edinburgh where Brooke is a student hoping to get accepted into an esteemed fellowship with Mhairi McCallistair (who is Jacks aunt), and Jack is a TA getting his Masters so he can help his family business. Circumstance (and maybe slight immaturity) tore them apart 7 years ago. Now Brooke is helping Mhairi write her memoir, and they are sent to hike the Skye Trail together after zero contact for 7 years.


While I found this a little slow to get going, but once I got about half way through I couldn’t put it down! I absolutely loved getting to see how their initial romance came about, and having that understanding made the main timeline so much more heart wrenching.
The ending of this story was heartbreaking and emotional, and I’m so happy the pair were able to face their fears and get their HEA.

I love a Scotland setting, although I found I wasn’t quite as immersed in the world as much as in Kilt Trip. It kind of felt like this story could have taken place anywhere and it would have been the same, whereas kilt trip had a certain magic to the setting.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading more from Alexandra!

Sorry but this was disappointing.. I found I had to suspend disbelief so many times as I read this - the ease with which the heroine was able to stay in Scotland? No that did not ring true. The way she blamed Jack all the time? Was she not an adult who’d gone into it with her eyes open?
Sorry but I didn't,it feel the chemistry.
This wasn’t a bad book but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I’ll keep my eye out for more books from this author as I like her style.