A Highlander Walks Into a Bar

Laura Trentham

Jul 2019 · Macmillan + ORM

About this eBook

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?

“Laura Trentham creates a romance that is both extremely sensual and phenomenal.”
—Fresh Fiction

Ratings and reviews

So this was Adorable – with a capital A! Izzy takes time off from her accounting business every year to help her mother run the Highland Games on their property – a legacy from her father. After college, rather than traveling or spending all of her hours writing, she stayed home to help her mother and the town – and the games are an integral part of the local economy. But picking her mum up from the airport after a ‘scouting trip’ to Scotland, she finds much more luggage than expected, and her mother brought home an ACTUAL Scot – Gareth. All six foot plus of him. If that wasn’t enough to set off alarm bells and get Izzy’s dander up, her mother is FLIRTING with him! It’s not enough that Izzy is feeling stressed and her mother is more interested in playing with Gareth than helping out with the festival, but another Scot has arrived in town and happens to be looking for Gareth. Alasdair, nephew and businessman responsible for high-end development projects has, after much badgering from his mother, gone to find Gareth and discover if this ‘new woman’ is out to marry the title and strip the ancestral lands. Of course, Gareth hasn’t shared his actual surname or relationship to the Blackmoor estates, and Alasdair is wiling to go along with the deception as he sorts out the issues. Never expecting that Izzy would be the biggest issue and draw of them all! Again – this story was adorable! From the kitschy souvenirs and decorations that make even the most loyal of Scots cringe to the southern charm of the place, everyone being involved with and knowing everyone else’s business, the struggles that Izzy and her mother have with their own property and bills, and even the minutia of putting together an event – the story just bounces from one highlight to another. With a local boy, the all-American archetype farmer who is convinced Izzy is for him, to her unimagined draw to the tall and dark Alasdair, and his to her – the story is full of laughter, challenges and heart – with plenty of caber throws to go around. A lovely start to a new series – one that promises laughter and hotness!! I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Isabel "Izzy" Buchanan is a strong, sassy girl who still lives with her mom in Highland, GA. It's been 10 years since she lost her dad but together they still host the annual Highland Games, honoring their Scottish tradition. When Izzy's mom goes to Scotland for a vacation and some research, Izzy is completely surprised to find that her mom brought back a souvenir in the form of a tall, Scottish older man! Enter Gareth Connors. What is really strange is that for the first time since her father died, her mom actually looks happy. While Izzy is trying to wrap her head around their new house guest, she is even more surprised when another Scot shows up in the form of a tall, dark, sexy Alasdair Blackmoor, who actually lives in London. Alasdair is in Highland at the request of his mother to track Gareth down, who is actually his uncle. Alasdair spent his youth with Gareth at the family home....it seems that Gareth is an Earl back in Scotland. When Alasdair meets Izzy he is instantly smitten. He does love a sassy woman! As Izzy and Alasdair spend more time together feelings start to develop and quickly they start up a friends with benefits type of relationship. When Alasdair decides to stay in Highland a little longer than he was expecting, things at his work start to explode. Alasdair finds himself at a crossroad between Izzy, work and his yearning for Scotland. He needs to make some big decisions in order to find his true happiness and be able to keep the woman of his dreams. I really enjoyed Izzy and Alasdair's story. It was fun learning about things from Scotland and overall this was an enjoyable read.

Isabel Buchanan is fiery, funny, and never at a loss for words until her mother Rose returns from a trip to Scotland with a six-foot-tall, very handsome souvenir Gareth. 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. A fun read that left me with a warm fuzzy feeling. Well written with well portrayed characters that were very likeable. Whilst I was caught up in the book I did feel the pace did lag a little at times. I also felt that I didn’t get to know Alasdair very well & would have liked to have known more of his background & relationship with his parents. That said I would recommend this as a light fun read My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

About the author

Laura Trentham is an award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance, including Then He Kissed Me and The Military Wife. She is a member of RWA, and has been a finalist multiple times in the Golden Heart competition. A chemical engineer by training and a lover of books by nature, she lives in South Carolina.