A Highlander Walks into a Bar

August 1, 2019

In Highland, GA, there's no bigger event than the annual Highland Games, and the Buchanan family orchestrates each one. Planning is thrown for a loop, however, when Isabel picks her mother up from the airport and learns she brought back a Scottish boyfriend for herself. Alasdair Blackmoor has been dispatched by his mother to make sure his uncle's new American girlfriend isn't out to take advantage of the family's title and estate. Intending to protect his uncle, Alasdair ends up getting sucked into organizing the Games. He can't help but be enchanted by Isabel's penchant for daydreaming and saying whatever comes to her mind--even if most of the time it's filled with suspicion. As the Games draw nearer and their attraction to each other grows, both Isabel and Alasdair have to consider what happens after the festivities are over and each returns back to their Highland life. VERDICT Trentham ("Cottonbloom" series) opens this new series with a delightful comedy where all good intentions go wrong but the banter is just right.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 17, 2019
Trentham’s series launch is a witty twist on romantic clichés. When Isabel Buchanan picks up her mother, Rose, from the Atlanta airport, she’s startled to learn that Rose has returned from Scotland with a man in tow. Rose met Gareth Connors in Edinburgh and has invited him to stay at their Stonehaven home in Highland, Georgia. Gareth’s nephew, Alasdair Blackmoor, is also visiting the U.S., and he drives to Georgia with the intent of bringing Gareth back to the U.K. so that he can claim his title of Earl of Cairndow. Upon his arrival in Highland, Alasdair meets Izzy and claims to be a friend of Gareth’s. He’s baffled that Gareth is using the last name of Connors, which is the surname of the Cairndow groundskeeper. Once Izzy agrees to let Alasdair stay at Stonehaven, sparks ignite between Alasdair and Izzy as they try to untangle the mystery of Gareth’s behavior. Lies, misunderstandings, sensual romance, humor, a fast-moving plot, and delightful characters: this novel has it all.