My Review
Oh my stars, I simply must tell you about this delightful book I just discovered - "Wild Scottish Love" by Tricia O'Malley! I found it while searching for the perfect cozy romance to accompany my evening tea ritual, and let me tell you, it was exactly what my soul needed.
As someone who's always dreamed of escaping to Scotland (blame it on my obsession with ancient folklore and magical creatures), this romance hit all the right notes. It's like someone took a Hallmark movie, sprinkled it with Scottish magic, and added a dash of foodie culture! The story follows Lia, a chef who finds herself in a charming Scottish village, and her encounter with Munroe, a businessman with an adorably shy disposition.
What truly captured my heart was the magical elements woven throughout the story. There's this absolutely precious creature called a broonie that had me giggling into my teacup, and don't even get me started on the ghostly cow! As someone who collects crystals and leaves offerings for the fae in my garden, I absolutely lived for these whimsical touches.
The romance itself is sweet as honey, though I will say it moves rather quickly. While I typically prefer a slower burn in my love stories, there's something refreshingly genuine about the immediate connection between the main characters. Munroe's shy charm is particularly endearing - I'm such a sucker for a man who falls first!
Now, I do wish the Scottish dialogue had been written with more authentic flair - I kept having to remind myself we were in Scotland rather than just any small town. And while I understand Lia's fierce independence (being a strong-willed woman myself), her constant rejection of kindness did grate on my nerves a bit.
Despite these minor quibbles, this book felt like wrapping myself in a warm tartan blanket while sipping spiced cider. It's perfect for anyone who needs a magical escape from reality, especially if you fancy a bit of Scottish charm with your romance. The paranormal elements are subtle enough not to overwhelm the love story, but present enough to keep things interesting.
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Just be warned - you might find yourself planning a spontaneous trip to Scotland afterward. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go research Scottish gin distilleries... purely for literary appreciation, of course!
*adjusts crystal necklace and winks*
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Book Description
Wicked banter, kitchen witches, and hot men in kilts make this friends-to-lovers modern day Scottish fairytale a romping good time.
I draw the line at serving people grasshoppers for dinner.
As luck would have it, on the same day I quit my job as head chef at Suzette’s, a fine-dining restaurant in Boston, I was offered an opportunity to open a restaurant at a castle in Scotland.
But now that I’m here in Loren Brae, I’m not so sure this city girl can hack it. The nights are too quiet–with no horns honking or insults being hurled–and everyone knows my business.
And on the first day of my new life? I meet the hottest man I’d ever seen before.
Munroe Curaigh. Owner of Common Gin, a dedicated nerd, innately shy, with the biggest golden retriever energy of any man I’d ever met. He immediately appoints himself my protector and I’d be annoyed if his kisses weren’t so wickedly hot. Still waters run deep, and all that.
Speaking of still waters…it appears that Loch Mirren is haunted by murderous Kelpies and the people of Loren Brae need my help.
That’s right. It turns out that I’m descended from a long line of Kitchen Witches and Loren Brae needs me, Lia, a chef from Boston, to help save them from an ancient curse.
So what’s a girl to do? It’s time to sharpen my kitchen knife, pull out my recipe book of spells, and get to work–or this tiny village in Scotland that I’m quickly falling in love with will be in danger.
That is, if I can come up for air from Munroe’s decadent kisses.
As an award winning NY Times, USA Today, and WSJ bestselling author, Tricia O’Malley’s infectious joy in writing romance with an added dash of the magical has touched hearts around the world. With over three million books read, O’Malley’s stories have been translated into several languages and enjoy a devoted following. Tricia O’Malley is a native of Wisconsin, and departed the wintry tundra for warmer locales five years ago. She now lives in the Caribbean with her handsome Scotsman.
An avid scuba diver, Tricia spends much of her time underwater dreaming up new stories while photographing the beautiful sea life. Tricia loves fun vacation reads, believes in mermaids, and has a serious travel addiction. She discovers her inspiration on the go – and you’ll find her books set in beautiful settings with characters who deserve a happily-ever-after.
To see some of her underwater or island life photos visit her on Facebook, Instagram, or join her mailing list at www.triciaomalley.com
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