Book Review: “What Happens in the Highlands” by Kelsey Mcknight

“What Happens in the Highlands” by Kelsey Mcknight (2019)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction

Page Length: 180 pages (electronic edition)

Synopsis:

Tight-laced Rose Hensel arrives in Scotland for her best friend’s wedding with a plan—to be the greatest maid of honor ever, let loose for the first time in years, and find out what Scottish guys really wear under their kilts. After meeting the best man, she thinks she found the man who checks all the boxes for a no-strings-attached romp among the heather.

Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon knows how to show a girl a good time. Gourmet dinners in castle ruins, picnics among rolling hills, and a seaside escape create some unforgettable dates. But as the fling begins to morph into something more, an unexpected wedding guest threatens to ruin Rose and Lachlan’s new romance.

With a plane ticket in one hand and her broken heart in the other, Rose prepares to head home to reality. However, she’s about to learn that what happens in the Highlands doesn’t always stay there. (description from Goodreads)

Review:

What happens in the Highlands is a romance novel that follows the story of a woman named Rose who is traveling to Scotland for her best friend Katie’s wedding. Upon her arrival in the quiet town where the wedding will take place, she is enamored by the culture sights and sounds that Scotland has to offer her. While helping her best friend plan for her wedding day she becomes romantically entangled with the best man Lachlan, who happens to be cousin of the groom. Will Rose find true love in Scotland?

I was very excited to read this romance novel not only because I love the romance genre, but I love stories about travel destinations that I want to visit. The author sets the tone for the story by describing Scotland’s lush greenery and all the little things that the small town has to offer. I could picture myself strolling along with small streets while visiting the mom-and-pop shops and taking in all the sights and sounds. The castle where the wedding takes place sounded absolutely gorgeous. I loved how cozy the rural town was.

This trip not only allows the to reunite to with her friend, but to also step out of her comfort zone. She constantly mentions how everything that is happening to her is like something out of a romance novel, but with a realistic view. It was hilarious to see her comment on different situations such as when she goes horseback riding:

“On history drama shows, it always looks so romantic. The broad-shouldered Scot and his little lassie on horseback, smoothly traveling through mountainous terrain while their hair flowed behind them like a Pantene commercial. But in reality, it isn’t all that bosom heaving. I was ten feet off the ground, on top of an animal that could turn on me at any moment, and had to rely on another person to keep from falling off…”

Though Lachlan and Rosie’s relationship starts off with an embarrassing instance and then a passionate fling they end up falling for each other immediately. They are so cute and awkward around each other when they go on dates, trying to get to know each other better. Though Rosie and Lachlan meet in such a short time they make a deep impression on each other.

One of the aspects I really enjoyed is seeing the friendship between Katie and Rosie. They are not only hilarious duo, but they always have each others backs. Even though they live far apart they still are connected and the wedding gives them the opportunity to reunite in person. Katie had me cracking up all the time they way she kept playing wing-man to get Rosie and Lachlan together as a couple.

Overall, this is a cute romance novel that is fast-paced, easy to read and very entertaining. The only downside was that I wish it was a bit longer to let the romantic leads have more time to get acquainted with each other as itt felt a bit rushed in some parts of the story. Additionally, some parts of the story were a bit too formulaic.

Final Verdict: