Skies Over Caledonia by Samantha Young is live!

The fourth standalone in the Highlands series, this is a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, opposites attract romance that is full of chemistry, and it’s such an amazing read! I loved the characters, I loved their love story, and I loved this book so much!

 

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Blurb

He’s a down-to-earth highland farmer. She’s the rebellious daughter of Hollywood royalty. They might seem like they’re from different worlds, but that won’t stop them from engaging in a marriage of convenience…

It’s been five years since Jared McCulloch’s grandfather Collum passed away and he inherited his farm in the Scottish Highlands. After his grandad saved him from his past life, Jared is determined to honor Collum’s legacy. But not only has a series of bad luck put him in danger of losing the farm, his estranged father is disputing the will. In a desperate situation, Jared realizes he’ll do just about anything to save the land.
Even marrying Allegra Howard, a woman he’s avoided at all costs.
A woman who tempts him beyond reason.

There’s only one place that makes Allegra Howard feel safe; one place that feeds her artist’s soul. Allegra wants to settle down in Scotland and expand her business. But there’s a hitch: immigration intends to return her to US soil.
Panicked, Allegra finds the one person just as desperate as she is. The same person she’s lusted after for years. In exchange for marrying her, she’ll invest financially in Jared McCulloch’s farm.

However, living together only forces them to acknowledge their searing mutual attraction. And with it comes an undeniable emotional connection Jared’s not sure he’s ready for.
Yet, blurring the lines of their arrangement is the least of his concerns when someone begins terrorizing the farm.
Allegra and Jared came together to save what matters most and now that might just be each other. And unless they can figure out which of their pasts has returned to torment them, they could lose their chance at a real future together…

 

 

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Review

5 stars

The fourth standalone in the Highlands series, this is a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, opposites attract romance that is full of chemistry, and it’s such an amazing read! I loved the characters, I loved their love story, and I loved this book so much!

You can read this as a standalone, but both Jared and Allegra have already been introduced in the series. Jared is the cousin of Sarah from Through the Glen, and Allegra is the younger sister of Aria from Among the Heather. Both are a little bit understood, I loved getting to truly know them, and enjoyed their fabulous dynamic.

Jared and Allegra met in the local bar of Ardnoch in the Scottish Highlands five years ago. They hit it off, and though they almost hooked up, it didn’t happen for them that night. Since then, Allegra has been travelling the world, returning to Ardnoch whenever she can because it’s where she feels happy and at peace, and it’s where she wants to settle. Unfortunately, Scottish Immigration are keeping a close eye and threatening to send her back to the US, so she comes up with a plan to stay. She knows that Jared’s farm is struggling, and coming from a wealthy family, she offers to share her fortune with him if he marries her. Jared is a quiet, reclusive, and broody guy who doesn’t have the time or interest for a relationship, but he’s desperate to save the farm left to him by his beloved grandfather, and he agrees to Allegra’s plan.

There’s a fantastic dynamic between these two, and from the very moment, sparks are flying.

She made me feel something more than attraction. I couldn’t explain it. Had never been able to figure out that spark between us from the moment she sat down next to me in the pub five years ago.
I didn’t want to figure it out. I wanted to run from it.
Instead, I’d bloody married her.

There is attraction, but Jared is unhappy about it which gets his defences up. But as they start to get used to each other and learn to live together, they become friendly, they start to push boundaries, and in the most epic “fuck it” moment ever, everything changes.

My skin flushed hot at the dark, hungry look he threw my way. No one had ever stared at me with such abject longing and desire.
I whispered his name.
His nostrils flared. “Fuck it,” he snarled as he charged me. He hauled me against his body as his lips crashed down over mine.

OMG, the sexual tension between these two is fantastic! I was feeling it with them, and couldn’t wait for them to give in to it all. It’s hot and steamy, and so much fun as they cave to all of their mad lust for each other. And though they promised they’d keep it simple and not get emotional about it, of course feelings develop

I released her hand to smooth her hair back from her face as I whispered across her lips. “There’s something here. Isn’t there?”
This time she released the full blast of her smile as she looked up at me with tenderness and affection. “There is. I’ve thought that for five years.”
My chest suddenly felt too full as I stared into her eyes.
Because how the fuck did I get so lucky?

It’s not all smooth sailing, and they do have some issues to work through, but it’s not an angsty read at all, and I loved watching these two figure out their feelings and where they stand with each other.

I had a choice. I could remain steadfast in my believe that I preferred to be single and probably end up a miserable, lonely bastard for the rest of my life. Or I could accept that the wind blew in change whenever it felt like it and you either adjusted or fought against it to your ruin.

Allegra’s bright spirit is so endearing. Her life hasn’t been easy, and she has some difficult family dynamics to navigate, and my heart hurt for her. I enjoyed watching her past come to light, seeing her interact with her family, find the strength to confront their issues, and bravely fight for the life that she wants.

And Jared is right there supporting her through it all. Jared is the quiet type, and isn’t one to speak about his feelings, but his sweet gestures, his quiet support, his protectiveness over Allegra and constant use of the words “my wife” are ovary melting!

“I’m the husband,” he bit out coolly. “I don’t know who you are, but touch my wife again and I’ll break your fucking hand.”

This is such a gorgeous read, with a little bit of suspense added which brings some intensity without overwhelming the romance. I loved seeing the characters previous books, and Jared and Allegra’s love story owned my heart.

Absolutely beautiful. 5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

 

Highlands Series

 

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Meet Samantha

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.

She resides in Scotland.

 

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