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I’m not usually one for blatantly contrived and unrealistic set-ups. However, with Some Like it Scot, if you just accept the implausibility of the back story, you’ll find a surprisingly realistic and lovely romance.
Graham McLeod is the Laird of a small island in the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland. According to tradition, the chieftain of the MacLeod clan marries a member of the McAuley clan, which shares the island, in order to unite the two. So it’s been for four hundred years, and so it is now. Which means Graham has to find a McAuley bride by the Autumnal Equinox (how they determined the year is beyond me, but again– we’re just going with it), or the leadership position passes to a total stranger. There is a lack of suitable women on the island, so Graham’s friends find him a distant member of the Clan — Katie McAuley of Annapolis, Maryland. Graham would rather try to abolish the Marriage Pact, but when his rival for the position as Laird shows up with every intention of taking power, Graham finds himself setting off to America.
Katie has never decided anything for herself in her life — including who she is going to marry. So when Graham finds her, she’s outside her own wedding having a freak-out about the fact that, while she cares deeply for her intended groom, she doesn’t love him nor does he love her; they are just both heirs to the McAuley-Sheffield name in boating, and wouldn’t a marriage and honeymoon do so much for the brand image? When she meets Graham and all of the tartan-clad Scot that he is, she decides to run for it, and the two head off to Scotland together. There is some flip-flopping about should-we-or-shouldn’t-we-get-hitched, but neither of them can deny the intense attraction between them, one that is timeless and instantaneous.
This story didn’t take the path I expected it to. Though it feels like the two have been getting to know each other for weeks, in reality the majority of the book takes place within about 72 hours. And yet, it works. There is a slight paranomal element involving visions and past lives that bolster the immediate connection between the two, and it worked. It made sense for them to be marrying after knowing each other for a day, because the connection between them was so strong and believable. There’s such a refreshing honesty and communication between Katie and Graham. It’s rare when we have protagonists openly admit to their feelings and fears. It gave them far more depth and likeability than games and evasions would have.
As I said before, there are some plot holes surrounding Katie and Graham. There are questions that are left hanging at the end, but there’s also a potential for Graham’s friends to be heroes themselves in the future. But for now, I’ll just enjoy the delectable romance between our main characters.
Grade: B
Book Type: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 23/06/10
Publication Date: 2010/06
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.