Sandy M’s review of Meet Me in Scotland (Kilts and Quilts, Book 2) by Patience Griffin
Contemporary Romance published by Signet 6 Jan 15

I’m trying to add a few new-to-me authors into my reading lately. Since I’ve been in a contemporary romance mood for a bit, and this book takes place in Scotland, that’s three ticks in the pro column for picking it up. However, all it took is one strike in the con column for things to fall apart for me.

Emma is a marriage therapist who’s the latest to go through scandal when she inadvertently let slip the wrong thing to say while still on the air. She’s decided to lick her wounds while visiting her friends, Claire and Dominic, who own a restaurant in the small town of Gandiegow, Scotland. Things go from bad to worse for her when she discovers it’s Gabriel MacGregor meeting her at the airport instead of said friends. She’s never liked the man, so can’t figure out why Claire would send him for her.

What Emma doesn’t know is Gabe is the new doctor in the village, having recently cleaned up his act, knowing he’d like to marry and start a family. A nice Scottish country lass is what he has in mind, definitely not a high-maintenance American like Emma. They’re like oil and water when they’re together, so beats him why he begins to look forward to seeing her in between all the goings-on in this everybody-knows-everybody town, the citizens of which have basically snubbed him because he’s an outlander – a Highlander and not from Gandiegow.

This is where the story begins its downward spiral for me, which doesn’t let up until close to the end of the book. Emma has her issues to get through; we find out Claire and Dominic are having marital woes; and the quilting guild in town is under the control of one brutal, say-what-she-means woman who spares no one her biting tongue. In essence, too much negativity with all these things and more going on. The contention between Gabe and Emma starts right off the bat; then we find out Claire and Dominic are arguing about the timing of having a baby – Claire wants to start now and Dominic wants to wait until their financial situation is better. Their relationship is what really drags the story down. It’s all games and deception with Claire to change Dominic’s mind, plus she ignores Emma most of the time and even ends up nearly wrecking the friendship later on. Sorry to say, but I wouldn’t have Claire as a friend for anything. I feel for Dominic big time. Then there’s the mean quilting lady who goads everyone all the time. There’s also a new mom in town with a colicky baby and takes advantage of anyone who offers a helping hand. Just too many folks you can do without for so many reasons.

Then there’s Emma’s parents, a couple of people who never should have had a child, and Emma always gives in to their ridiculous demands, growing a backbone only when it’s nearly too late on her likable meter. She comes close to talking herself into doing what’s best for her, but then caves, not finding herself until after she’s gone to such lengths for them once again.

Gabe and Dominic are the only two characters who don’t play games, though they could use lessons in just talking issues out instead of keeping silent. That, of course, is a theme that runs rampant in romance novels. Gabe has totally changed his life from his rowdy, womanizing days, keeping the future in mind. Dominic is also an outlander – he’s Italian – and the townsfolk take Claire at her word, as skewed as it is, and stick it to Dominic where it hurts the most. My favorite scenes are Gabe in action when needed for doctoring and Dominic’s unexpected “fathering,” even when he’s prepping and cooking at the restaurant. Only thing is, that’s not enough to redeem the story. It’s too little too late.

Since I’m not a quilter, though I do like the fact Emma learns to quilt and does a terrific job on her project, I don’t think I’ll be reading future books in this series – more because I truly don’t need to visit these characters again. I will, however, try Ms. Griffin’s books when she begins a new series down the line. I do like her writing and feel I would enjoy reading other work of hers – as long as the negativity is kept to a minimum.

Grade: D

Summary:

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?

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series: