Sandy M’s review of A Highlander Walks into a Bar (Highland Games, Book 1) by Laura Trentham
Contemporary Romance published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 30 Jul 19
This is only my second book by Ms. Trentham, and I freely admit the title drew me in. With her first book, An Indecent Invitation, which is an historical romance, I had a problem with the heroine, as referenced in my review. While Isabel – Izzy as her friends and family call her – has reason to be suspicious and doubtful in the beginning, her attitude lasts a bit too long for me.
It’s when her mother returns from Scotland with a handsome and charming Scot in tow that Izzy’s suspicions take over. She and her mother organize their local Highland Games, which they decided to continue after the death of Izzy’s father. Their castle-like home and acreage are worth a fair bit, and Izzy doesn’t like Gareth snooping around. Then throw in the man’s nephew, Alasdair, and she’s got a double whammy on her hands, especially since she doesn’t know Alasdair is Gareth’s kin…
…Because the men don’t want the ladies to know is Gareth is a laird with riches of his own. When Alasdair shows up, their story is they’re old friends so the truth is kept hidden for the time being. I realize this comedy of errors, so to speak, is meant to lean toward comedy, but it fell a little flat for me. What I do like, though, is the time given to Gareth and Alasdair to clear the air between them, after being estranged for a few years. I like both of these characters a lot. Their charm and wit comes through quite well.
I also like Izzy and her mother. It’s just the chemistry between Alasdair and Izzy just doesn’t come up to the level to make their relationship credible. However, the growing emotions between her mom and his uncle does work much better. Izzy says what’s on her mind, but that makes her seem brash and rude. She’s in charge of getting the games up and running because her mother is so smitten with Gareth, but Alasdair has decided to stay to help her, instead of returning to his stressful financial career. There are fun scenes during the games when the local guys help Alasdair try to win it all to impress Izzy. I do, of course, warm up to Izzy at the end when she finally warms up to Alasdair.
As with my first Trentham read, this is an okay read and there’s plenty of fun to be had, but there’s also plenty of things that just don’t work for me. This is the beginning of a new series, but I’m not recalling any characters who may be next. I’m thinking Ms. Trentham’s work just isn’t for me, so I’m not sure I’ll be returning to Highland, Georgia in the future.
Grade: C
Summary:
The timeless romance, soaring passion—and gorgeous men—of Scotland come to modern-day America. And the rules of love will never be the same…
Isabel Buchanan is fiery, funny, and never at a loss for words. But she is struck speechless when her mother returns from a trip to Scotland with a six-foot-tall, very handsome souvenir. Izzy’s mother is so infatuated by the fellow that Izzy has to plan their annual Highland Games all by herself. Well, not completely by herself. The Highlander’s strapping young nephew has come looking for his uncle…
Alasdair Blackmoor has never seen a place as friendly as this small Georgia town—or a girl as brilliant and beguiling as Izzy. Instead of saving his uncle, who seems to be having a lovely time, Alasdair decides he’d rather help Izzy with the Highland Games. Show her how to dance like a Highlander. Drink like a Highlander. And maybe, just maybe, fall in love with a Highlander. But when the games are over, where do they go from here?
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
