This is a lovely feel good read, easy to read and full of great characters. Esme is back from Australia where her boyfriend dumped her at the airport. She’s devastated, but is looking forward to her new job as PA to a Lady at a stately home in the Highlands. Will she find romance again? Loved the location and the characters were all easy to like. A fabulous 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

I was so happy to receive Lisa’s latest book for a review. Once again we are in the Highlands of Scotland at Drumblair Castle. Esme is the new PA to Olivia,she has been away travelling for a year,met Rhys but he broke her heart so she came back home and moved back in with her parents. The castle has been rented out to a film crew and it turns out Esme’s teenage crush Zach is the male hero. Esme,herself was offered a place at the Glasgow conservatoire to study acting but her parents talked her out of it so she is looking forward to see the filming. Esme and her friend Parker are in a local amateur dramatic group and are putting on a play so lots of stress at rehearsals. Esme gets offered a house share in one of the castles cottages. Olivia takes her to meet Judd who’s a gardner on the estate. They seem to get on so agree to share. Judd is a few years older than Esme and quite handsome. Esme meets Zach when she is having her lunch break and he asks her to help him with his lines,he is down to earth and very handsome. You must read the book and see where things go for Esme,Zach and Judd. You won’t be disappointed.

A great lighthearted pure escapism read. I really enjoyed this book. Esme returns back home broken hearted and gets a job at the castle. Lovely scenery and descriptions of Scotland. The characters were good and writing style flowed well. I loved the ending. Dreams can come true in many different ways.

A wannabe Scottish actress deluged with male interest😯

4.5🌟 stars
Very appealing, easy and quick read set in Scotland, one of my most loved venues.

Castle Drumblair owner Lady Olivia MacBain has hired new PA Esme who was crushed by an abruptly ended relationship not so long before. Esme steps into her new position at a castle that's been the object of her dreams since she was a child and soon finds herself socializing with her teenage dream movie star; fending off a blast from her past; and getting close to her new male (platonic) housemate who may not be so platonic in his feelings for her.

This novel had sweet, slow burn romance and a heroine who put her professional acting dreams aside at the encouragement of her loving parents but finds new opportunities to stretch her innate acting skills when the castle becomes the set for a movie and she nabs the female lead in the local amateur drama group's production of Romeo and Juliet. The plot is never boring and I could not stop reading, finishing the story in less than a day. And the author kept me on tenterhooks wondering would Esme pick a romantic partner, if so who, and where her ambitions would take her.

Judd, Esme's housemate, was my favorite character. With him, the author included a main character who is neurodiverse and has a lovely talent for speaking from the heart with the language of flowers. Zachary the movie star had lots of positive points but I did not find him quite as appealing.

Another good adventure centered on the inhabitants and staff of Castle Drumblair.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 4/15/25 on Waterstones, Goodreads and Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble. To be shared with Google Play and kobo upon publication.

I loved this book, it was an easy feel good read. What an absolute arse Rhys is! I couldn’t put this book down. The ending was by far my favorite part when same finally got her break. Will definitely be reading more from this author

It was a lighthearted read and I absolutely loved the dialogue and the characters in the book. The pacing was also wonderfully handled as the decisions seemed to go organically. I do echo some of the critiques where there were too many love interests for a romance book and some of the references were a little too specific. There were some parts where we were being told things vs being shown but over all, this was a good read for the purposes it wanted to do. Thank you again for letting me read this!

Esme has returned home from travelling with a broken heart and in need of a job. She has always dreamt of becoming an actress but her overprotective parents dismissed the idea. Instead she takes a job as a PA to the owner of a local castle but things take a turn when the castle becomes a movie location. Will Evie accomplish her dream or has life something else in store for her.

With its beautiful Scottish setting this would make a perfect holiday read. A lovely lighthearted story, perfect escapism.

basically this book had me before it had me! one reason being Lisa is one of my favorite authors. and secondly did anyone else read the comments from the other authors on this book!? wowzas, if my best authors make comments like that on another of my best authors then count.me.in.
not that i needed reassurance because as soon as i was back in the Highlands and back with Lisa perfect writing i was totally taken over with the wit charm and wonder of it all anyway.
Esme is dealing with heartache and has had to move home with her parents. shes also not doing what she dreamed of doing in her career either. basically shes feeling like a bit of a failure all round. but a role is Lady Olivia's PA at Drumblair castle comes about which included a cottage on site . things might be looking up? if only things were so easy. because said cottage already has someone living there. enter Judd the good-looking nice guy who happens to also be the groundskeeper of the castle and estate. and these twos stories shines so brightly throughout this book. they were both supportive and lovely to each other. giving each other the love and kindness each needed.
everyone in this book has their own thing going in. and they come together with those stories so it seems easily between them all and as one.
everyone has their part to play in this book. everything is important. talking of parts. this might be even more relevant when a bit of Hollywood glamour comes to the castle as the castle is set to be turned into a film set. but this also bring another charming man to Esme's attention. doesnt it? because this man was Esme's teenage crush! lets just say i was wanting to shake Esme to stop her from turning towards the very very very wrong character and couldnt help feeling the angst of this not being (my wanted) happy ending.
another brilliant book to the series. but i will say this could be enjoyed just as much as a standalone.

Esme had two dreams to be an actress and to own Drumblair castle. she gets a job at Drumblair castle as the personal assistant of Lady Olivia. she is living in a cottage on the estate.

This is a warm, romantic escape filled with charm, self-discovery, and a touch of Hollywood glamour. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, the story follows Esme Cassidy, whose life has hit a trifecta of chaos: a painful breakup, a stalled acting career, and a reluctant return to her parents’ home.

When Esme lands a job as a personal assistant to the formidable Lady Olivia at Drumblair Castle, it feels like a lifeline. She gains independence, a quaint cottage to live in—and an unexpected roommate, Judd, the castle’s down-to-earth groundskeeper. Judd is not just easy on the eyes, but exactly the steady, kind presence Esme needs during a time of emotional upheaval.

As Esme slowly rebuilds her confidence, she also finds joy in joining a local amateur dramatics group. But things take an exciting turn when a Hollywood film crew descends upon the estate. Enter Zach, the charming film star who just so happens to be Esme’s teenage crush, and Lucille, his glamorous co-star. While Zach shows interest in Esme, Lucille is less than friendly, sparking a tangled web of miscommunications and emotional confusion. In all, this is a delightful read that celebrates new beginnings, true love, and the beauty of finding where you truly belong.

Another great read in this series by Lisa Hobman. An original story filled with hope and love. Esme comes to the story fresh from a heartbreak but her life soon takes an upturn with a new job she loves, a new home and a major part in an amateur dramatic performance. From there, she gets very involved with a film being shot at the castle and falls in love. This book has a great plot and great characters. A must read for anyone who enjoys this genre.

I was thrilled to go back to Lisa Hobman's Drumblair Castle and enjoy more of the stories of the delightful characters in the series. Lady Olivia's assistant Esme is the focus in 'Shooting Stars over the Highlands' and although new characters are introduced there is the comfort of all of the former ones to provide delight in a charming story. One thing I appreciate is that all challenges and conflicts are handled with a kind hand and there is real growth among the characters. Esme's dreams were never realized as her love of acting was discouraged and her parents pushed her into a more 'secure' career. Her efforts in local volunteer theater groups ended up with her meeting her teenage actor crush and the opportunity to participate in a film. The story isn't rushed and feelings and emotions are patiently addressed as we see the changes in Esme's life. I highly recommend this book and the entire series. It is a treat!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I really love this series around Dumblair Castle and its inhabitants and visitors. This time though I found the story around Esme a tiny bit convoluted, not too much to not love it, but just a tiny bit less amazing than the books before. It is a 4.25 stars this time. The main reason is that I feel we had 1 too many love interests (3 in total) to really focus the romance on the one Esme will be falling for in the end. I really liked the characters and especially the three main ones Esme, Judd and Zach were great. Esme is cute and kind and polite. She cares for her parents, friends and basically everyone and her little dog Betty is an extension of her personality. She is a real nice FMC for this story. Judd is such an interesting character in my view. He is neurodivergent and I liked how Lisa has woven that into the story. Zach famous actor and cutie who is a real nice person. I love how he cares for people even if they are not the nicest to him at all times (e.g. his ex Lucille). All in all, even though that little point of criticism around the too many love interests I am really recommending this series and this 4th book with all my heart! If you love a lighthearted and just heartwarming romance series look no further. I really can recommend this one and I am loving it since book 1.

Another great book in the highlands series. Lovely to hear glimpses of Olivia and Brodies new family and Kerrs life too. Esme was very likeable and this eas a fast sweet charming read. I liked judds gentle character and the neurodiverse aspects of his character, he was wonderful and very sweet. I hope Lisa keeps these books coming as the series is great.
This can be read as a standalone too.
Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I really enjoyed the last book in this romantic series. This book concentrates on new characters whilst maintaining the inclusion of Olivia as the main character threaded through each of the stories. I thought the new storyline in this book was good and particularly liked Judd, the 'odd' plantsman, who has his own struggles. However, once again there are such numerous mentions of musicians and songs (and 'Mother Swift') that I felt as though I was reading a playlist recommendation. The storyline in this book lent itself to a similar thread of films and actors until I felt as though the removal of these titles would have saved pages and pages of padding. The excellent atmosphere created by this author raised my rating from 3 to 4.

Ooooohhhh I just love all the drama! It was great to catch up with everyone at the castle again, and I loved learning about Judd. He is such a great character and described really well, my favourite quote from him is when he describes himself to Esme as a ‘neurospicy bloke’. It was so great to see ADHD represented and handled so great.

I loved meeting Esme and learning her story, the drama! Lots of twists and turns. Rhys was a character, and as a parent of adult children I could really identify with her parents, and how they just wanted to protect her, but in doing so they were stifling her.

The dynamic between Zach and Judd over their feelings for Esme was interesting to read and I liked the growing friendship as she discovered more about each of them. I have to say Judd is a cutie and I love that he gives the correct flowers for the occasion. And the ending was amazing.

Feel good fiction, light hearted and easy going reading.

The story follows Esme Cassidy whose dealing with a trifector of problems; a sudden rough breakup, the necessary moving back in with the parents and undergoing a bit of a career crisis in terms of what she thinks she wants (acting hopes and dreams) and what she believes to be realistic (anything but acting).

Then turns up a role as PA to Lady Olivia at Drumblair Castle, where she eventually finds a cottage to live and be independent and an am dram group to live out her acting ambitions.

The cottage, rather fortuitously, already has a tenant. Meet Judd, a good looking and really rather decent guy, groundskeeper for the castle estate and who seems to have taken to Esme immediately. And it's while Esme is still reeling from, and dealing with, her horrible break up that we see Judd shine as the considerate and bolstering support Esme is need of.

Then things get glamorous. Hollywood comes to Drumblair and a film begins to be shot in its confines. This bring loads 2 key characters, the handsome and picture perfect Zach (who also happens to be Esme's teenage crush!) and his leading goddess come actress Lucille - the films leads. The former takes to Esme, the latter most certainly doesn't. This begins a difficult series of 4 way miscommunications and deliberate misdirections.

These 4 main characters each have their own little bit of trouble before things slowly work themselves out. I loved the use of flowers to describe feelings which can be hard to say out loud. The story moved along nicely and, although arguably predictable in its ending, was thoroughly enjoyable to read. The supporting characters, and storylines, of Parker and Esme's parents helped fill out the story.

This is the first novel by this author I've read, and going on this book I'd definitely read another. If you're looking for a good light hearted holiday read, or just something to escape into of an evening I think this fits the bill. It's no thought-provoking drama or Penguin classic, but it's easy to pick up and get lost in if getting away from it all is what you're after.

Esme Cassidy wants to be an actress more than anything and owning Drumblair Castle but her parents who are overprotective want her to find a more traditional career path. She takes a career working as the PA for Lady Olivia, the owner of Drumblair Castle itself and the castle becomes a film set for a movie where Esme meets her teenage heartthrob who is an actor in the film.
Esme moves in with a staff member living on the castle grounds and the heartstrings are pulled from one to the other but when her ex turns up, the sparks fly in more ways than one.

Will Esme get her happy ending with a Knight in Shining Armour and her dream career? Just wait and see ….

I love this series by the author and couldn’t wait to meet new characters and catch up with much loved ones from the previous books.

I honestly thought I knew how the love story part of the book was going to go but I was pleasantly surprised. The author has a way of reeling us in very quickly and keeping us there. So much so I read this book in one sitting.

I absolutely loved the setting. As always the author shows her love of Scotland throughout the book. Roll on the next one.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy for review.