Heartwarming #Romance – A Secret Scottish Escape by Julie Shackman

Escape to the beautiful Scottish Highlands for a heartwarming and feel good cosy romance that will whisk you away from lockdown!

When Scotland’s sleepiest hamlet becomes the centre of hot gossip, Layla Devlin finds herself caught in a mystery…

When Layla’s fiancée has an unexpected heart attack and dies – in another woman’s arms, no less – Layla is determined to pack up and leave Loch Harris, the village she’s always called home. But an unexpected inheritance and love for her quiet corner of Scotland send her down a new path.

Now Layla finds herself facing a whole new kind of drama. Rumours swirl that a celebrity has moved into Coorie Cottage and Layla is determined to have him headline her opening night at local music venue The Conch Club. But the reclusive star is equally determined to thwart Layla’s efforts. Rafe Buchanan is in hiding for a reason, and soon his past comes to Loch Harris to haunt him…

My Review

This is a contemporary romance which takes you through the full gamut of emotions but leaves you with a huge smile on your face. It starts with betrayal and grief when police arrive to inform Layla Devlin that her fiancé has died whilst in bed with his ex-wife. Following this traumatic revelation and the funeral, Layla is determined to make a fresh start miles away from Loch Harris, the Scottish hamlet she’s grown up in. However, dramatic revelations and surprises conspire to inspire her to stay to help revive the tourist trade on which the hamlet community rely. She’s going to open a music venue but who should the opening acts be? Can she get her Dad and his old group to play together again? There are rumours, too, about a secretive singer/songwriter having moved into a local cottage – can she get him to perform on opening night, too?

With mysteries and secrets galore, this is filled with family dramas, music, friendships and several romances, too. There are plenty of characters who are easy to relate to, one or two who you’d rather have nothing to do with and lots of surprises, too. It is a story with a small community at its heart, one where love will find a way, sometimes in an unexpected manner! It truly is a heartwarming story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

Purchase Links 

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Scottish-Escape-Julie-Shackman-ebook/dp/B08T5WWNDR/

US – https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Scottish-Escape-Julie-Shackman-ebook/dp/B08T5WWNDR/

Author Bio –  

I am a contemporary romance author from Scotland, who is obsessed with stationery and handbags.

I am married with two sons and have a poodle cross Romanian rescue puppy called Cooper. A Secret Scottish Escape is my fifth book.

I trained as a journalist and studied Communication & Media. When I’m not reading or writing, I love getting out for long walks, listening to music and watching romcoms.

Social Media Links – 

https://twitter.com/G13Julie

https://www.facebook.com/julie.shackman

https://www.instagram.com/juliegeorginashackman/