Initially, Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham offers the idyllic Scottish escape.
Travel writer Katie Campbell jumps at the chance to review an immersive Edwardian experience in Scotland, reconnecting with her family’s Scottish roots. When her clumsy nature attracts the strong embrace of the castle owner and grumpy Scotsman, Graeme MacKerrow, the two tumble into an unlikely attraction for each other. As they bond over their shared grief and love for the tight-knit community, Katie must decide if it is time to trade in her wanderlust for a place to call home.
One of the first offerings to catch the reader’s eye is Katie’s uniqueness as a narrator. She has a strong, intelligent voice and an evident expertise in her field. It’s effortless to slip into her point of view, experiencing Scotland through her adventurous and curious point of view.
Basham excels in bringing a fictional Scotland to life, providing intricate detail to the lush landscapes and cobblestone streets of this tucked-away gem of a town.
The first half of the book is particularly strong as she introduces us to the authentic world outside of the Edwardian experience at the castle. From friendly shop owners to opinionated locals, every corner of this rural highland setting is populated with colourful run-ins. Even when the zany Edwardian experience, with its inauthentic details and obscurely lavish meals, threatens to take over, it offers a comical over-the-top plot.
“Sometimes home is a place. Sometimes it’s a person. Sometimes it’s both.”
— Pepper Basham, Some Like It Scot
Unfortunately, the enchanting setting isn’t elevated by the chemistry of our leading couple.
While Graeme owning the castle is a fun little twist to spring on Katie, it isn’t enough whimsy to give their chemistry that much-needed spark. It’s a typical rom-com where a grumpy Scotsman and an American tourist fall in love despite their contrasting sunny and rainy dynamic. There’s no identity specific to these characters beyond a shared tragedy and uncommon body images — of which this book uses too frequently to establish that uniqueness. The plot is painfully predictable, and much of the romantic dialogue lands flat because these characters are so detached from one another.
A clean romance still has to find ways to establish intimacy, if not physically, then through human connection. These characters try their best, but it all feels rather superficial without a more profound sense of why they make for a perfect pairing beyond the convenience of being in each other’s proximity.
Some Like It Scot is a light and harmless romance. Go in expecting a cookie-cutter Scottish love story with familiar tropes and predictable execution, and you might just enjoy this one.
Sadly, no character captures this reader’s heart enough to stay in the warm embrace of this story for longer than needed.
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