You can run from your problems, but you can’t hide from love in the Scottish seaside town of Gandiegow….
When a video of her calling happily ever after “a foolish fantasy” goes viral, marriage therapist Emma Castle is out of a job—and off to Scotland. The tiny town of Gandiegow is the perfect place to ride out the media storm and to catch up with her childhood friend Claire. But also in Gandiegow is the one man she hoped never to see again.
She’s successfully avoided Gabriel MacGregor since Claire and Dominic’s wedding, only to find he’s now the village doctor—and just as tall, dark, and devilish as ever. Claire and Dominic’s blissful marriage, however, is not what it used to be. Soon Emma and Gabriel find themselves taking sides even as the sparks begin to fly between them. Can Emma help her friends—or regain her career—as she struggles with her own happily ever after?
Other books in the A Kilts and Quilts series:
This is my first Griffin book and I’ll be watching for more. Especially since I’ve somehow become enamored by highlanders over the last year and a half. The hilarious part is my newfound highlander fetish has nothing with Outlander. Nope, it’s heroes like the one from this book.
The hero, Gabriel MacGregor, is the bad boy turned good and he’s a doctor. *winks* He can look at my lady bits any time. For me the hero owns the story. He’s an alpha male, a protector and believes in taking care of those he loves. Don’t forget chivalry is not dead to this one and his internal conflicts are heartfelt. So why in the world did he fall for the English Princess, Emma Castle?
Emma, at first, is the woman I’m trying to like. She’s recently resigned from being a marriage counselor and doesn’t believe in happy ever afters. I do like her in some strange way, but I also think her growth is very stunted for three quarters of this book. Her stubborn ways are awful and at times I found her too selfish for her own good. Yes I could hurl the kindle at the wall thanks to her. She comes out of the funk with a lot of coaxing from our hero and the town folk of Gandiegow; thank goodness.
Secondary plot alert! This book also has a secondary romance plot. Gabriel’s adopted brother Dom and his wife Claire, also Emma’s best friend, need help to save their marriage. The hilarity is that throughout the book you think Emma, ex-marriage counselor will pony up to help them. Even Gabriel has his own thoughts on how to assist yet the pair finds their way to resolution by other means. On the journey to solving their problems is plenty of feisty words and humorous situations that also warm the heart.
A tertiary character in this book is the Gandiegow Knitting Club — a group of fearsome ladies who I suspect are somehow matchmakers in their own right. With ongoing drama and machinations from this club there’s plenty of trouble to be had between Gabriel and Emma.
As for plot and pacing, the story didn’t follow the steps I expected, which is always refreshing to see a different outcome than predicted. The challenge to being a writer and a reader is that books may not grip me as much because too often I know the end result before I get there. With Griffin I didn’t. Things went in a new direction, one filled with wonder and surprise. So I’ll be on the lookout for more books from this author.
Overall, if you enjoy heroes who’ll sweep you off your feet or heroines who have tough hides covering their soft, malleable insides then this book is one I’d recommend. I may be checking out the first in this series, but you know me… I’m not prone to go backwards. Instead I’ll start getting excited about the next book, with a feisty, young Scotsman and a matchmaker.
Reviewed by Landra
Heat Level: Hot
I have the first book & haven’t gotten to it, but I will definitely read that one & this one. I have heard nothing but good things! Thanks for the review!