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Almost Like Being in Love
A modern-day Ohio woman and a seventeenth-century Scottish laird fall in love at first sight in a magical holiday romance by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.
Maren Kelly and her friend Penny may be lost in the Scottish Highlands, yes. They may be caught in the blizzard of the century, sure. But despite their dire straits, Maren is going to honor her ailing mother’s wish for them to experience all the magic, mystery, and whimsy Scotland has to offer, even if she freezes to death trying. When they’re rescued by the dashing Duncan Campbell, who seems like he walked straight out of the seventeenth century, Maren is more than a wee bit bewildered.
Their shelter is Duncan’s castle in Highglen, a captivating village that feels somehow familiar…as does the laird himself. Brimming with holiday cheer and friendly, boisterous family members, Highglen is a safe haven in the frigid winter storm. Maybe it’s the carolers and the warm hearth—or Duncan’s comforting brogue and stolen kisses—but Maren feels as though she’s come home. And in Duncan, she may have found her long-awaited soulmate.
But is this a miracle that could last a lifetime?
Maren Kelly and her friend Penny may be lost in the Scottish Highlands, yes. They may be caught in the blizzard of the century, sure. But despite their dire straits, Maren is going to honor her ailing mother’s wish for them to experience all the magic, mystery, and whimsy Scotland has to offer, even if she freezes to death trying. When they’re rescued by the dashing Duncan Campbell, who seems like he walked straight out of the seventeenth century, Maren is more than a wee bit bewildered.
Their shelter is Duncan’s castle in Highglen, a captivating village that feels somehow familiar…as does the laird himself. Brimming with holiday cheer and friendly, boisterous family members, Highglen is a safe haven in the frigid winter storm. Maybe it’s the carolers and the warm hearth—or Duncan’s comforting brogue and stolen kisses—but Maren feels as though she’s come home. And in Duncan, she may have found her long-awaited soulmate.
But is this a miracle that could last a lifetime?
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 570 reviews
December 15, 2023
3.5 stars
Major instalove and some magical realism thrown in, but this holiday romance was cute and charming. I enjoyed it, but I think it could have been so much better if it was a full length novel with more development in the romance between Maren and Duncan.
Major instalove and some magical realism thrown in, but this holiday romance was cute and charming. I enjoyed it, but I think it could have been so much better if it was a full length novel with more development in the romance between Maren and Duncan.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Paula Nederhorst
Narration Rating:4 stars
Genre: Romance (Magical Realism)
Length: 4h 31m
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December 24, 2023DNF at 70%
I was warned going into this that this was insta love and not to take it too seriously and to just enjoy the ride. Sometimes I'm okay with that, and it's time travel set at christmas time, so I had to give this a try. But even though I knew what I was getting into, I just COULDN'T. At one point Maren says how Duncan is the most perfect man alive. Girl please, you've known him for all of 2 days 😭😭😭
There were some innuendos and passionate kisses too. Overall, not for me, but if you don't mind all that stuff, maybe give it a read!
I was warned going into this that this was insta love and not to take it too seriously and to just enjoy the ride. Sometimes I'm okay with that, and it's time travel set at christmas time, so I had to give this a try. But even though I knew what I was getting into, I just COULDN'T. At one point Maren says how Duncan is the most perfect man alive. Girl please, you've known him for all of 2 days 😭😭😭
There were some innuendos and passionate kisses too. Overall, not for me, but if you don't mind all that stuff, maybe give it a read!
December 4, 2023
I knew this involved insta-love even before going in, but with it being a novella, I still wanted to give it a try. Well, it was more than I could take seriously.
Lost in the Scottish Highlands in the middle of a blizzard, Maren Kelly finds herself transported through time to a quaint Scottish village frozen in the year 1647. It was a cozy setting, I must say. What is more dreamy than holiday celebrations at a castle, especially one thriving in the seventeenth century.
While there, Maren meets the laird, Duncan Campbell, and it is quite literally love at first sight. Duncan was definitely a romantic, chivalrous man, so I get the appeal, but one conversation and these two were essentially ready to wed. The romance along with the simplistic way everything unfolded—it was all a bit too cheesy for me.
(heat level: kissing only)
Lost in the Scottish Highlands in the middle of a blizzard, Maren Kelly finds herself transported through time to a quaint Scottish village frozen in the year 1647. It was a cozy setting, I must say. What is more dreamy than holiday celebrations at a castle, especially one thriving in the seventeenth century.
While there, Maren meets the laird, Duncan Campbell, and it is quite literally love at first sight. Duncan was definitely a romantic, chivalrous man, so I get the appeal, but one conversation and these two were essentially ready to wed. The romance along with the simplistic way everything unfolded—it was all a bit too cheesy for me.
(heat level: kissing only)
November 12, 2024
4 Stars for Almost Like Being In Love (audiobook) by Sariah Wilson.
The author found another fun way to travel back in time to the Scottish Highlands. This was a fun romance without the commitment to a giant novel. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
The author found another fun way to travel back in time to the Scottish Highlands. This was a fun romance without the commitment to a giant novel. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
December 5, 2023
Almost Like Being in Love - Sariah Wilson 3.5 Stars
This novella was a lot of fun! Even though I don't like instalove, the fact this had a Scottish family and setting from the 17th century and time travel with a girl from America who falls in love with the Scotsman at Christmastime - I forgive it LOL! If it would have been any other setting, I probably wouldn't have picked it up but I can't pass up anything that has time travel and Scotland in the mix!
It's almost so over the top for the entertainment value that you just end up having a fun time while reading / listening to it. I listened to the audiobook through audible and loved the Scottish dialogue and narration. I don't think this book is meant to be taken seriously. I think its mean to have a lot of fun while reading and just enjoy during the Christmas season. It is magical realism after all with the time travel element haha.
I love that the romance was clean with kisses only - some of the descriptions, innuendos and intimate moments were more described but I was fine with it. Perfect for fans of Outlander who want an entertaining, clean Christmas read this season.
This was my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more by her. This follows an American girl named Maren Kelly and her friend Penny who get lost in the Scottish Highlands and caught in a blizzard. They're visiting there at the request of Maren's mother, who is dying from cancer and wants her daughter to experience the magic and mystery of Scotland. They end up being rescued by a handsome 17th century Scotsman and his family, Duncan Campbell. Duncan and Maren have the whole love at first site thing going on as they shelter in Duncan's castle in Highglen.
One issue I had with this was I honestly don't understand the time jumps as much in this book or how the time travel worked fully but that's ok. I really liked the Scottish elements, dialogue, traditions and mentions of their history as well.
Overall, a fun novella for Christmas that kept me entertained.
This novella was a lot of fun! Even though I don't like instalove, the fact this had a Scottish family and setting from the 17th century and time travel with a girl from America who falls in love with the Scotsman at Christmastime - I forgive it LOL! If it would have been any other setting, I probably wouldn't have picked it up but I can't pass up anything that has time travel and Scotland in the mix!
It's almost so over the top for the entertainment value that you just end up having a fun time while reading / listening to it. I listened to the audiobook through audible and loved the Scottish dialogue and narration. I don't think this book is meant to be taken seriously. I think its mean to have a lot of fun while reading and just enjoy during the Christmas season. It is magical realism after all with the time travel element haha.
I love that the romance was clean with kisses only - some of the descriptions, innuendos and intimate moments were more described but I was fine with it. Perfect for fans of Outlander who want an entertaining, clean Christmas read this season.
This was my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more by her. This follows an American girl named Maren Kelly and her friend Penny who get lost in the Scottish Highlands and caught in a blizzard. They're visiting there at the request of Maren's mother, who is dying from cancer and wants her daughter to experience the magic and mystery of Scotland. They end up being rescued by a handsome 17th century Scotsman and his family, Duncan Campbell. Duncan and Maren have the whole love at first site thing going on as they shelter in Duncan's castle in Highglen.
One issue I had with this was I honestly don't understand the time jumps as much in this book or how the time travel worked fully but that's ok. I really liked the Scottish elements, dialogue, traditions and mentions of their history as well.
Overall, a fun novella for Christmas that kept me entertained.
November 15, 2023
Highglen is the new Brigadoon and I loved this Christmas time travel romance set in the highlands of Scotland. I especially love that this book title is also the title of a song from that musical–how fun is that?
🪄Maren is such a solid character and I loved the quest she went on for her dying mother to find a long lost brother.
🪄The way Maren and her bestie, Penny, stumbled upon Duncan, a Scottish laird, and his clan in the 1600s is so surprising and sweet.
🪄The whole cast of SEVEN sisters, each so different and full of life and personality, is the icing on the cake.
🪄Swoony deliciousness manifests under the mistletoe, in closets, and in many other places and Sariah Wilson sure knows how to write those scenes!
🪄Traditions and customs are so endearing and I loved watching them mesh worlds.
🪄An impossible ending is such a perfect concoction of emotions, ideas, and heart-melting scenes.
I loved this darling little novella and its unique mashup of so many beloved things.
Content: mild+ romance (swoony kissing, make outs, light innuendo); death of parent
*I received a complimentary copy through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*
🪄Maren is such a solid character and I loved the quest she went on for her dying mother to find a long lost brother.
🪄The way Maren and her bestie, Penny, stumbled upon Duncan, a Scottish laird, and his clan in the 1600s is so surprising and sweet.
🪄The whole cast of SEVEN sisters, each so different and full of life and personality, is the icing on the cake.
🪄Swoony deliciousness manifests under the mistletoe, in closets, and in many other places and Sariah Wilson sure knows how to write those scenes!
🪄Traditions and customs are so endearing and I loved watching them mesh worlds.
🪄An impossible ending is such a perfect concoction of emotions, ideas, and heart-melting scenes.
I loved this darling little novella and its unique mashup of so many beloved things.
Content: mild+ romance (swoony kissing, make outs, light innuendo); death of parent
*I received a complimentary copy through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*
November 12, 2023
Sariah Wilson can be a hit or miss author for me but this latest holiday novella was a total win. Perfect for Outlander fans, this story features Maren, whose dying mother urges her to take a trip to Scotland that they had been planning to go on together.
Travelling with her cousin Penny, Maren finds herself stranded in a snowstorm and transported back in time to a castle stuck in 1647 where she meets Chief Duncan Campbell and falls instantly in love. Only able to stay for a week or forever, Maren is forced to choose between love or returning to her time and saying goodbye to her mother.
Heartbreakingly beautiful and super swoony, this novella packs a big punch and is full of all kinds of holiday feels. I couldn't read this fast enough and absolutely loved it! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: kissing only
Travelling with her cousin Penny, Maren finds herself stranded in a snowstorm and transported back in time to a castle stuck in 1647 where she meets Chief Duncan Campbell and falls instantly in love. Only able to stay for a week or forever, Maren is forced to choose between love or returning to her time and saying goodbye to her mother.
Heartbreakingly beautiful and super swoony, this novella packs a big punch and is full of all kinds of holiday feels. I couldn't read this fast enough and absolutely loved it! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: kissing only
October 27, 2024
Maren travels to Scotland in search of her missing uncle but finds herself back in the 1600s and falling in love with a dashing laird. This is a genre I have a soft spot for, so I enjoyed this one.
June 16, 2024
Ach Romance
Tis’ a bonnie time travel sort of romance this is, but of a different sort than you might have been used to. In this story an entire village out of time pops up during magical storms and always during the Yuletide season.
Maran and her friend Penny made a trip to the Scottish Highlands to find Maran’s uncle because her mother was dying of cancer and wanted to know what became of her brother. They are warned about freak storms that hit this time of year, but Maran and Penny set out to go to the last known place of her uncle’s whereabouts. They were out of cell range of course, when suddenly their rental car died. They waited for awhile, but in fear of freezing to death in the terrible storm they set out in hope of finding help.
What they did find was a cozy place that was almost reminiscent of a castle complete with a handsome man in a kilt. Maran had the strangest feeling she knew him from somewhere. You know Maran and the Handsome Duncan are going to fall in love, but what happens when she has to go back to her dying mother?
This was not a typical time travel romance, but it was a cozy story if a little too convenient at times. I gave it high marks for inventiveness and it was a reasonable story. Three and a half stars and I will round it up to four because I am a sucker for happy endings.
Tis’ a bonnie time travel sort of romance this is, but of a different sort than you might have been used to. In this story an entire village out of time pops up during magical storms and always during the Yuletide season.
Maran and her friend Penny made a trip to the Scottish Highlands to find Maran’s uncle because her mother was dying of cancer and wanted to know what became of her brother. They are warned about freak storms that hit this time of year, but Maran and Penny set out to go to the last known place of her uncle’s whereabouts. They were out of cell range of course, when suddenly their rental car died. They waited for awhile, but in fear of freezing to death in the terrible storm they set out in hope of finding help.
What they did find was a cozy place that was almost reminiscent of a castle complete with a handsome man in a kilt. Maran had the strangest feeling she knew him from somewhere. You know Maran and the Handsome Duncan are going to fall in love, but what happens when she has to go back to her dying mother?
This was not a typical time travel romance, but it was a cozy story if a little too convenient at times. I gave it high marks for inventiveness and it was a reasonable story. Three and a half stars and I will round it up to four because I am a sucker for happy endings.
August 16, 2023
Charming! This was such a fun Christmas novella with a fun twist. I loved the magical time-travely elements, all the Christmas activities and the sweet characters. I'm not a super big fan of "insta love" but thought it was handled well here. I actually do love the idea of more books set in Highglen!
Content G+
Sweet romance, kissing and very mild innuendo. No language or violence.
Content G+
Sweet romance, kissing and very mild innuendo. No language or violence.
December 3, 2023
Quick take: Time-traveling, Highlander, Insta-love, Clean Romance.
The story is about a woman who travels to Scottland in hopes of finding her dying mother's brother, something that her mother wishes she did. When they get stuck in a bad snowstorm, Maren and her best friend Penny find themselves rescued by a man and wake up in a different century.
It was okay. It was cute. I think this was the case of it's me and not the book issue. I struggle with novellas intensely, so It's my fault for picking it up.
I think I was generous with the three-star rating as the main character pissed me off enough when she was more than willing to allow her dying mother to die alone for a man she just met a few days ago.
But they are star-crossed lovers, soulmates.
Thus they fall in love just by looking at each other..
Nope.. did not click with me. Made me angry. As I said, 3 stars were generous. This book could have been better if it had been longer, but the debate of going back home for a man I just met while my mom was dying was a bit too much for me.
But hey.. the cover is cute and I'm willing to give this authors full novels a shot.
The story is about a woman who travels to Scottland in hopes of finding her dying mother's brother, something that her mother wishes she did. When they get stuck in a bad snowstorm, Maren and her best friend Penny find themselves rescued by a man and wake up in a different century.
It was okay. It was cute. I think this was the case of it's me and not the book issue. I struggle with novellas intensely, so It's my fault for picking it up.
I think I was generous with the three-star rating as the main character pissed me off enough when she was more than willing to allow her dying mother to die alone for a man she just met a few days ago.
But they are star-crossed lovers, soulmates.
Thus they fall in love just by looking at each other..
Nope.. did not click with me. Made me angry. As I said, 3 stars were generous. This book could have been better if it had been longer, but the debate of going back home for a man I just met while my mom was dying was a bit too much for me.
But hey.. the cover is cute and I'm willing to give this authors full novels a shot.
November 29, 2023
Short and cute.
September 15, 2023
I'm so sorry, I just really couldn't connect with the book at all because of the Scottish accent being textually in the dialogues.
At first it was a fun ride, I knew what I was getting into (if you don't like insta-love then....why are you even here?) so I didn't care about 'predictability' or anything; I was here for a sweet, fun ride about a Christmas love between space-time but hard as I tried, every time I read didnae, dinnae and aye, my mind instantly disconnected from the narrative and I couldn't enjoy the story at all :(.
However, if you don't mind accents being written in characters dialogues then absolutely go ahead and enjoy this book candy! It all boils down to personal preference.
At first it was a fun ride, I knew what I was getting into (if you don't like insta-love then....why are you even here?) so I didn't care about 'predictability' or anything; I was here for a sweet, fun ride about a Christmas love between space-time but hard as I tried, every time I read didnae, dinnae and aye, my mind instantly disconnected from the narrative and I couldn't enjoy the story at all :(.
However, if you don't mind accents being written in characters dialogues then absolutely go ahead and enjoy this book candy! It all boils down to personal preference.
November 29, 2023
I was excited to read Almost Like Being in Love. This book appealed to me for many reasons. I love a good Christmas Romance, I've always loved the movie Brigadoon, and I love any book or movie that has to do with Time Travel.
Maren and her friend Penny get lost in the Scottish Highlands in a bad winter storm. What happens next is absolutely magical. It's at this point in the story that you need to enjoy the story for what it is. They are found by the Campbell family who take them to their castle, Highglen. Soon Maren finds out that this village and its people are from the 17th century. She also finds out she is instantly attracted to Duncan Campbell and he to her. The problem is, that the village only appears in certain years. If Maren decides to leave, she may never get back to Duncan because they never know when people from the outside will be able to find the village.
This novella is full of sweet romance, has magic, and Insta-Love. Maren and Duncan feel as if they have found their soulmates. Since this is a novella which is shorter than a regular novel, things do happen more quickly romance-wise. I do love both Maren and Duncan and the Campbell family. Readers are swept up in the magic of 17th Century Scotland and its people just as Maren does in the book.
This fun little novella will make you smile, maybe cry a few tears, and help you believe in true love. If you want a short story that will sweep you away for an afternoon, Almost Like Being in Love is waiting to take you on a magical adventure into the Scottish Highlands.
Maren and her friend Penny get lost in the Scottish Highlands in a bad winter storm. What happens next is absolutely magical. It's at this point in the story that you need to enjoy the story for what it is. They are found by the Campbell family who take them to their castle, Highglen. Soon Maren finds out that this village and its people are from the 17th century. She also finds out she is instantly attracted to Duncan Campbell and he to her. The problem is, that the village only appears in certain years. If Maren decides to leave, she may never get back to Duncan because they never know when people from the outside will be able to find the village.
This novella is full of sweet romance, has magic, and Insta-Love. Maren and Duncan feel as if they have found their soulmates. Since this is a novella which is shorter than a regular novel, things do happen more quickly romance-wise. I do love both Maren and Duncan and the Campbell family. Readers are swept up in the magic of 17th Century Scotland and its people just as Maren does in the book.
This fun little novella will make you smile, maybe cry a few tears, and help you believe in true love. If you want a short story that will sweep you away for an afternoon, Almost Like Being in Love is waiting to take you on a magical adventure into the Scottish Highlands.
November 14, 2023
4.5/5 stars
This is a holiday novella full of romance and magical realism based on the musical Brigadoon.
This was such a cute read! Maren and her best friend are visiting Scotland. They end up in a snowstorm. And are rescued by a Scotsman (Duncan) from a different time.
I loved Duncan's family and village so much! This was such a quick fun read.
This book is mostly a feel good story. However there is a situation with Maren's mom at home that completely broke my heart. That made this a bit of an emotional read. But overall this novella really got me in the holiday mood!
Thank you Montlake and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
This is a holiday novella full of romance and magical realism based on the musical Brigadoon.
This was such a cute read! Maren and her best friend are visiting Scotland. They end up in a snowstorm. And are rescued by a Scotsman (Duncan) from a different time.
I loved Duncan's family and village so much! This was such a quick fun read.
This book is mostly a feel good story. However there is a situation with Maren's mom at home that completely broke my heart. That made this a bit of an emotional read. But overall this novella really got me in the holiday mood!
Thank you Montlake and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
September 8, 2024
DNF. I can’t even with this book. Here are my main issues:
1. I cannot get over the time aspect. I’m totally fine believing there is some magical castle that exists beyond time somehow or which is on a different timeline. The thing I can’t get over is that an American in 2023 makes her way to this castle and understands and is understood by 17th century Scots. I don’t even understand modern day Scots!
2. Pretty sure women’s rights weren’t a thing back then. And they wouldn’t treat two random women who were lost and inappropriately-for-the-time dressed well.
3. Maren meets her uncle who has been gone for 25 years (so since 1998 if this book takes place in the year it’s published or earlier if it is not) and the first thing he mentions upon seeing her phone is how he was excited to get his BlackBerry. I did a quick internet search and found that the BlackBerry did not come out until 1999 and wasn’t widely used until 2009.
4. The insta-love. How I hate insta love. Our MCs have known each other for a few hours and he misses her. Then she says she loves it when he says her name. And she narrates that he is the most romantic man she’s ever met! He says some pretty words to her and now he’s the most romantic person ever. 😂
So for those reasons I just can’t bring myself to finish this book. Maybe things turn out better, maybe it’s explained that she hit her head in the storm and this is all a dream, maybe we find out this takes place in the future when everyone speaks olde Scottish. Dunno and don’t care!
1. I cannot get over the time aspect. I’m totally fine believing there is some magical castle that exists beyond time somehow or which is on a different timeline. The thing I can’t get over is that an American in 2023 makes her way to this castle and understands and is understood by 17th century Scots. I don’t even understand modern day Scots!
2. Pretty sure women’s rights weren’t a thing back then. And they wouldn’t treat two random women who were lost and inappropriately-for-the-time dressed well.
3. Maren meets her uncle who has been gone for 25 years (so since 1998 if this book takes place in the year it’s published or earlier if it is not) and the first thing he mentions upon seeing her phone is how he was excited to get his BlackBerry. I did a quick internet search and found that the BlackBerry did not come out until 1999 and wasn’t widely used until 2009.
4. The insta-love. How I hate insta love. Our MCs have known each other for a few hours and he misses her. Then she says she loves it when he says her name. And she narrates that he is the most romantic man she’s ever met! He says some pretty words to her and now he’s the most romantic person ever. 😂
So for those reasons I just can’t bring myself to finish this book. Maybe things turn out better, maybe it’s explained that she hit her head in the storm and this is all a dream, maybe we find out this takes place in the future when everyone speaks olde Scottish. Dunno and don’t care!
September 13, 2023
I love the story of Brigadoon and jumped at the chance to read a favorite author's take on it. It was delightful and a quick and easy read.
Maren and her friend get lost in the Scottish Highlands and rescued by a handsome Scottish Laird. Duncan and Maren have an instant connection and feel as if they've always known each other. But Maren can't stay and Duncan can't leave. So where does that leave them both?
This was a charming story set in Highglen, a hidden and magical kingdom that has been protected from the world and time there moves slower. It was fun watching Maren discover all the kingdom had to offer as well as meeting Duncan's family and the villagers. Plus there are several fun surprises for Maren throughout the story.
If you're not a fan of insta-love stories, I think you'd still like this book. I thought the way the author wrote it and wove Maren and Duncan's story together was well done and didn't feel rushed. Very cute!
Content: Clean. Some kisses but nothing further. No language that I can remember.
I received a copy from the publisher, Montlake, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Maren and her friend get lost in the Scottish Highlands and rescued by a handsome Scottish Laird. Duncan and Maren have an instant connection and feel as if they've always known each other. But Maren can't stay and Duncan can't leave. So where does that leave them both?
This was a charming story set in Highglen, a hidden and magical kingdom that has been protected from the world and time there moves slower. It was fun watching Maren discover all the kingdom had to offer as well as meeting Duncan's family and the villagers. Plus there are several fun surprises for Maren throughout the story.
If you're not a fan of insta-love stories, I think you'd still like this book. I thought the way the author wrote it and wove Maren and Duncan's story together was well done and didn't feel rushed. Very cute!
Content: Clean. Some kisses but nothing further. No language that I can remember.
I received a copy from the publisher, Montlake, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
August 26, 2023
This is an incredibly cute Christmas novella! Given it is short and chritmasy I was expecting a light story so I was pleasantly surprised by the emotional depth. While I am not sure I believe in love at first sight it worked for me in this story. I enjoyed Maren and Duncan’s connection and felt like it was deep even though it happened quickly. I loved how this book celebrated all kinds of love not just romantic love. Once I picked this one up I couldn’t put it down! A must add to your holiday season TBR!
Thanks to NetGalley and Montalake for proving me with a free arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montalake for proving me with a free arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 8, 2023
With such a cute cover and being a Christmas romance read, I knew it would be a sweet, cute story. But this one was just too over the top for me. It was like a fever dream - stumbling into a disappearing Christmas Village where everyone walks in and finds insta-true love.
I liked the ways the MC was able to help the village. She had unique skills. The ending was satisfying but the whole in-between - their courting and meeting family and celebrations. Cute but just too much - too sweet, to cute. If you need a feel-good love story with a hot Scottish love interest, then this just might be for you. It just wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I liked the ways the MC was able to help the village. She had unique skills. The ending was satisfying but the whole in-between - their courting and meeting family and celebrations. Cute but just too much - too sweet, to cute. If you need a feel-good love story with a hot Scottish love interest, then this just might be for you. It just wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
November 14, 2023
magical holiday romance!
Sariah Wilson has gifted her readers this magical, tender hearted Christmas romance! Duncan and Maren are an enchanting (enchanted?) couple, and I loved their story.
Sariah Wilson has gifted her readers this magical, tender hearted Christmas romance! Duncan and Maren are an enchanting (enchanted?) couple, and I loved their story.
October 1, 2023
Sariah Wilson is an automatic read for me. Her books are full of wit and charm, this one being no different.
Although it is a short read, do not be fooled! You will be crying by the end! This was a fun story, a little time travel, some Christmas cheer, a whole lot of scots.
Although it is a short read, do not be fooled! You will be crying by the end! This was a fun story, a little time travel, some Christmas cheer, a whole lot of scots.
December 5, 2023
Some of her books are good, some are not. I really don’t want to be rude or mean, but it was like a middle or high schooler wrote this. That juvenile understanding of love and relationships painted this entire story. The main character falls in love in like 3 seconds. I get that it’s a novella so the author doesn’t have a lot of time to develop the plot, but come on! It was so unbelievably ridiculous. Not one of her better books.
January 18, 2024
Normally I don't read time-travel romances but since Sariah Wilson wrote this, I considered it an exception. Almost Like Being in Love has the writing style readers have come to love from Ms. Wilson. There's great chemistry between the main characters and some twist and turns to keep you turning the pages.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publishers via NetGAlley. My review was not required nor influenced.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publishers via NetGAlley. My review was not required nor influenced.
April 1, 2025
To honor her dying mother's request, Maren travels to Scotland to discover what happened to her uncle. She is accompanied by her friend Pam. When they get caught in a blizzard, they travel back to the seventeenth century and the village Highglen.
This is a quick romance read that is a perfect palette cleanser from the sad girl books I tend to lean into.
The book is predictable but in a good way that you know will give you a happy ending. This story started out strong for me but about midway through something about the writing didn’t hold my attention and I kind of started to get disconnected from the story. If you like insta love this is for you. It is not my favorite so parts fell a bit flat for me. But still a cute and magical read.
This is a quick romance read that is a perfect palette cleanser from the sad girl books I tend to lean into.
The book is predictable but in a good way that you know will give you a happy ending. This story started out strong for me but about midway through something about the writing didn’t hold my attention and I kind of started to get disconnected from the story. If you like insta love this is for you. It is not my favorite so parts fell a bit flat for me. But still a cute and magical read.
September 13, 2023
3 stars for the entertainment factor.
It's a Christmas themed novella based on the movie Brigadoon. Just like the movie, it's set in Scotland, they get lost, and there's a magical village from the 17th century.
It's of the super-cheesy, insta-love kind of sort. Maren, an American in Scotland to find her mother's brother, and Duncan, a Scottish laird, fall in love at first sight, despite the improbabilities and obstacles.
If you can suspend your belief and get past the implausibility, the story and characters are cute and it was a light, easy read.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
It's a Christmas themed novella based on the movie Brigadoon. Just like the movie, it's set in Scotland, they get lost, and there's a magical village from the 17th century.
It's of the super-cheesy, insta-love kind of sort. Maren, an American in Scotland to find her mother's brother, and Duncan, a Scottish laird, fall in love at first sight, despite the improbabilities and obstacles.
If you can suspend your belief and get past the implausibility, the story and characters are cute and it was a light, easy read.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
November 15, 2023
Sariah Wilson's romances are my kind of comfort read. I always know going in to them that I will love them. This book is probably my least favourite by her, only because I am not a big fan of magical realism and struggle to believe the storyline at times. Instant love is not a trope I tend to enjoy either and I understand with this being a novella, it was likely the easiest approach. I am still glad I read it though and I know there will be a heap of you out there who will love it more than I did.
June 7, 2025
**🎧**
Look, I’m a sucker for anything with Scottish lore... tartan, legends, brooding highlanders, give it all to me. So when I picked this one up, I was ready to be swept off my feet (or at least mildly enchanted). Instead, I got a front-row seat to the world’s most uneventful travel journal. “Today I did a thing. Then I did another thing. Then I thought about that thing while doing a slightly different thing.” Rinse, repeat, yawn.
Final Thought--> Not My Cup of (Scottish Breakfast) Tea.
Look, I’m a sucker for anything with Scottish lore... tartan, legends, brooding highlanders, give it all to me. So when I picked this one up, I was ready to be swept off my feet (or at least mildly enchanted). Instead, I got a front-row seat to the world’s most uneventful travel journal. “Today I did a thing. Then I did another thing. Then I thought about that thing while doing a slightly different thing.” Rinse, repeat, yawn.
Final Thought--> Not My Cup of (Scottish Breakfast) Tea.
December 29, 2023
This book had so much potential, Scottish time travel during Christmas....but honestly it was so cringey and I only finished it to get to my reading goal lol. So disappointed since it has so much potential! It was way too instant in love-y and overall super cringey. DND at 60%
August 1, 2024
Really wish I would have finished this sooner, just kept forgetting about it since it was audio for me! Super cute short story, loved the different worlds coming together and how the ending came about!
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