Addie backed away, and Logan couldn’t help the wayward thought that while he loved kissing her in dark corners, all he really wanted was to hold her hand in the light.

Addie Macrae has loved life as a jet-setting travel consultant, never landing in one place to stay longer than a few weeks at a time. Until she finds that elusive sense of home and belonging in the arms of rugged, handsome Scottish tour guide, Logan Sutherland. The problem is that he’s her client, and he has a vastly different idea about how to make his tour company financially successful, which threatens both her career and her heart.

This novel has a truly charming premise, a perfectly romantic setting, and a cast of loveable characters. I also felt that it has a surprising level of emotional depth in its gentle exploration of Addie’s complicated relationship with grief. I love the through line of Addie’s efforts to connect with her mother by finding obscure destinations to take photos of herself where her mother once did. While this is such a simple little arc on its face, the author effectively uses it to forge and develop a real feeling of connection with the reader and her characters.

I enjoyed the fact that Logan loves taking his tour groups off the beaten track to experience the real, native Scotland, and the fun and interesting stories he shares. I love that I now know where the phrase “armed to the teeth” comes from and what it means! There are also laugh out loud moments throughout the novel, including Addie and Logan’s meet cute, and Addie’s near-disastrous experience meeting sheep.

This author definitely has the gift for lovely prose, and I annotated a number of beautiful phrases and metaphors. Her use of setting is amazing, and Scotland feels like another character. Her descriptions are vivid but not exhausting, so I clearly visualized the scenery but never felt bored. I think that Logan and Addie have a sweet chemistry, and there are some great romantic moments.

My only criticisms are the pacing, as I felt that the first 25% of the novel drags with Addie and Logan bickering for pages on end with no really good reason; and my frustration with Addie’s character being so indecisive and fearful of commitment. There were times when I thought that Logan deserved more than Addie was able to give. I don’t think that she grew or groveled quite enough to warrant his forgiveness by the end of the book.

I also didn’t like the subplot about Addie’s relationship with her father, its abrupt turning point at 75%, and then the fact that they were able to resolve their differences without any explanation. I think the book would have been better if it was shorter, and this could have been accomplished by eliminating the subplots that didn’t move the story forward: Addie’s issues with her dad, Addie's ongoing worry about her job, Logan’s issues with his brothers leaving the family’s business, and the third act breakup.

I think that Jack is a great character, but his role in the HEA seemed forced as I didn’t understand why he needed to be in the story at all until the end. I'd like to read Jack's love story!

Overall, I enjoyed this debut, and I will recommend it. I look forward to reading this author's next book.

Tropes: forced proximity, hurt/comfort, found family

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.