Series: Kinloch, #1
Traits & Tropes: enemies to lovers; former soldier hero with some PTSD; alpha hero who's actually vulnerable
Publication Date: 10.15.21
Genre/Setting: Contemporary/Romantic Comedy; Highlands, Scotland
Heat Level: 4
Rating: 4/5
Zoe has spent her life doing exactly what was expected of her and avoiding risks, but she breaks bad when her great-uncle passes away and leaves her a falling-down cabin in the Scottish Highlands.
Seeking a drastic change, Zoe downsizes and gives up her London flat for a cabin with numerous issues from roof leaks to lack of plumbing or electricity. It also doesn’t help that she’s battling both the onset of winter and a grump, devastatingly attractive neighbor who wants her gone.
Rory has enough problems trying to make Kinloch castle turn a profit. His grand plan was to turn the cabin into his private retreat to clear his head and enable himself to deal with the catastrophe he’s facing. The last thing he needs is someone else living there and turning his world topsy turvy. Rory’s determined to see her gone and Zoe has no intention of leaving.
First off, I must say that I probably wouldn’t have read this story if I’d realized it was a happily for now, rather than a true HEA, with the MCs’ story continuing in the second book, but I was drawn in by the descriptions of its high steam level and British humor usage. Happily, I was not disappointed on this front. Zoe and Rory are fire together and I really enjoyed their chemistry and how inevitable they felt. My only issue was how long their enemies period went on and the fact that I started to get a bit bored with it before they got together at last. Fortunately, once they were together, that was it, no wavering or questioning the matter. Rory also happens to be an excellent hero and I adored how he was so open with Zoe about his feelings for her and not ashamed to declare his utter devotion or reveal his vulnerabilities. Thankfully, she was sensitive to those and willing to meet him halfway. I enjoyed this couple, the side characters, and the Scottish Highlands setting enough that I’m moving on to the second book even though these continued HEA stories are a pet peeve, mostly out of appreciation for the fact that this book does not end on a cliffhanger. I think this is a debut author with tons of potential to write some of my new favorite stories.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2254830226
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4620204427
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