Highland Hideaway

by Lily Gold

From TikTok sensation Lily Gold comes a brand-new spicy “why choose” romcom, featuring three steamy Scottish heroes… and the lucky girl who doesn't have to share them.

One bubbly city girl lost in the Highlands.
Three grumpy Scots determined to keep her there.

Yesterday, I was a fashion influencer on a trip to a luxurious Scottish spa. Today, I’m the internet's favourite trainwreck. All it took was one embarrassing viral video to end my career and leave me stranded in the Highlands.

I find shelter on Lochview Sheep Farm. It’s certainly not a luxury vacation spot… unless you count the three huge Scots running the place.

There’s Cameron, the grumpy shepherd who calls me ‘princess’ when my heels get stuck in the mud… before carrying me inside.

Fraser, the flirty rancher with the auburn hair, who promises to wear his kilt just for me.

And Alec, the commanding farm manager, who seems to hate me… until a sudden storm sends his protective streak into overdrive.

They all assume I’m just a clueless city girl. But when they find out what I’m hiding from, they swear to take care of me. Soon, I’m being kissed in freezing Scottish lochs, cuddled in front of the roaring fireplace, and being spoiled like the princess they once accused me of being.

And the best part?

My three handsome Highlanders are used to sharing everything…
And now they want to share me.

Highland Hideaway is a blistering standalone romance featuring three swoony heroes, grumpy-sunshine banter, and tons of found-family warmth. Cosy up and get ready for your next sweet-but-sizzling comfort read!

Genres: Why Choose, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Rom Com, Polyamory

Paperback

Expected publication February 25, 2026

About the author

Lily Gold writes spicy #whychoose comfort reads.

She has a soft spot for strong guys with big hearts, and thinks the only thing better than one book boyfriend is TWO book boyfriends... or maybe three 😜; When she's not writing, she's usually reading, accidentally killing her potted plants, or finding a pet to cuddle.

To keep up to date with all book news, and receive bonus epilogues from all of her books, you can subscribe to her newsletter at:
https://www.lilygoldauthor.com/

Happy reading!

Reviews

[Rhi]

THESE ARE THE BEST NEWS EVERRRRRR

[Darcey]

‼️she got an ARC‼️

lily gold is BACK and i'm so excited to read this one soon!!

[Kali Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta Review: I laughed, I cried, I swooned and I smiled from beginning to end. Lily is back and hasn't missed a damn beat. This is her best work yet 🥹

[ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thank you to Lily Gold and NetGalley for the eARC!!
🪵🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🐑💖

I didn’t expect to feel as connected to these characters as I do. With Lily Gold’s other books, I was always able to appreciate how she differentiated the characters - since there are three MMCs, it’s hard to make sure there isn’t much overlap so the audience doesn’t mistake one for the other - but in this book, without even looking at whose POV we were in, I knew who it was based on their unique character voice. *applause* These characters were also so well-rounded and we got to delve a little deeper into what made them into the people they are now which is a nice shift from the very smut-heavy other books by her. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not mad about the smut, but I’d like to get to know the characters as well, and this book had a really good blend of both.

Cameron’s fear of getting close to Summer, Alec’s constant thought that he did something wrong and fear of disappointing/letting down the people he loves, and Summer’s fear of being disliked resulting in her doing what will make others happy at the expense of her own happiness hit a little too close to home for me; I ended up getting pretty emotional at certain parts of the book. The only character I didn’t relate to on a personal level was Fraser, and he ended up being my favorite character in the book - we don’t have to get into what that may or may not say about me. He was such a kind, caring, ball of sunshine, and I love him. These characters just felt so so real, I didn’t want to leave our little farm in Scotland.

As for the romance between them, it’s always interesting going into a reverse harem/why choose and wondering how they’ll all end up together. Typically (with the ones I’ve read) two start off and she thinks she has to choose between them and then they say you don’t have to pick and then the third is the grump who won’t let himself get close but he winds up in the mix as well, and let’s just say this was no different. I think the initial hookup was a bit quick for my taste; I would’ve liked to see more progression with their friendship and getting to know each other before anything else, but we got that with another one of the guys so I can’t be too mad. Didn’t love the third act breakup but at the same time, it was necessary for the character development. Everything made sense and evened out in the end - I had a great time!!

[decklededgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

beta read: 🙂‍↕️ y’all are gonna enjoy this one for sure

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I reckon the world could do with a lot more of you in it, London. Mistakes and mess and all.” ✨💖

Getting to dive into a Lily Gold why choose story is always such an absolute treat. This book is definitely my new favorite!

Every single one of our main characters was so well developed and unique. In true why choose fashion it’s SO HARD to pick a favorite guy. HOWEVER, I love a silent broody man and Cameron was PERFECT. This man seemed so grumpy but was fiercely protective and so dang sweet. A man who learns how to make your favorite treat?! ADORABLE!

“Aye. Body and soul. I’m yours. ’Bout time you realised.”

Summer was wonderful. I feel like a lot of people will be able to relate to her character and the things she struggles with. She has ADHD and has spent her entire life trying to fit into a world that wasn’t built for her. Her mother made her feel like she was too much and that made her into someone that would do anything to fit the mold of what everyone wanted her to be. As a fellow people pleaser, my heart broke for her. If you have ever felt like you are too much, getting to see Summer’s journey to finding herself and her place will bring you all the warm fuzzies.

“And you’re wrong,” he says quietly. “You’re not hard to like. It’s the easiest thing in the world to like you. Couldn’t stop myself if I tried.”

There was so much healing all of the leads had to go through to reach their happy ending and I loved every minute of it! Alec, our broken boy was so deserving of love, he just had to let go of his past and reach for it.

“Aye, I do. I like you messy. Like you angry. Like you sad. Like you happy. I like you every way you come.”

Fraser was the happy go lucky flirt that also struggled with depression. It was really special to see how Alec came for him when he needed him most.

The spice was honestly the perfect ratio in this story! Some relationships build faster than others and then we had our secret dom enter the scene and direct some HOTTTTT moments!

“There we go,” Alec soothes. “Good girl. Just like that.“

I am honestly so sad I already finished this book because I want to experience it again and again. If you are ready for some highland hotties, you definitely have to check this story out!

Tropes:
🤭 Why Choose
🫶🏼 People Pleasing FMC
💖 Beauty Influencer x Highland Hotties
💔 Broken Boy
❤️‍🔥 Spicyyy
🐑 Fuzzy Sidekick
❤️‍🩹 Mental Health Rep
✨ Neurodivergent Rep

[kailesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Lily Gold book to date and I wish it never ended omg 😭

This book was such a fun, flirty, and easy read! I went in expecting a light romance, but the story completely sucked me in. The pacing was perfect, the conflicts felt real, and I was swooning, laughing, crying, and longing the entire time. Honestly, I think I’d love to fall in love with a Scottish man, or 3, who treats me like a princess just like Summer.

All four main characters were so distinct and had their own voices, and I loved how their development unfolded alongside the story’s conflicts. The men were an absolute hoot and I found myself talking in a Scottish accent in my head on many occasions just to get the full experience!!

Fraser absolutely stole my heart with his golden retriever energy and the way he always seems to know exactly what Summer needs. Cameron was a close second with his broody love and constant care—him making sure she’s fed at all times had my heart squeezing! Alec was so troubled and rough around the edges, but his journey was still a highlight, and I loved seeing how he overcomes his own mental health challenges with the help of Summer and his best mates (lol!)

The spice was top tier, as expected from Lily, and I was not disappointed for a single second. Beyond the romance, the mental health representation was beautifully handled. ADHD, dyslexia, depression, and PTSD were woven seamlessly into the story, and as someone who lives with ADHD and depression, I really appreciated how realistic and empathetic it felt. Watching these characters grow into their flaws and accept themselves was such a standout part of the read.

And of course… the sheep! I absolutely loved the sheep farm, and Biscuit was my favorite girl. Between the romance, the laughs, the heartfelt moments, and the adorable farm life, this book hit all the right notes for me. I can’t recommend it enough!

Thank you Lily and NetGalley for an egalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Lily is SO back! I absolutely loved this. Each character was complex, perfectly flawed and I adored each and every one of them. Three rugged highlanders (where two out of three are grumpy!) and one city girl whose complete sunshine? I mean COME ON. The way these men were their own found family was admirable, then the way Summer completed them was everything.

Fraser was the most perfect flirty, witty, golden retriever who was truely the glue between these men and I loved the way he was with Summer. Their chemistry was instant and I loved the way their relationship developed. He had some of the best one liners that had me giggling.

Then grumpy Cameron, who spoke in grunts but underneath was the softest softie ever? Perfection. I adored him and the way he took care of Summer. No notes.

And then we have Alec, who had a whole lot of trauma but I love the way he softened for Summer. He held onto so much and I loved the growth he had over the course of their story.

The ADHD rep here is wonderful, I felt so SEEN while reading Summer’s inner dialogue and the way she spoke about her struggles. But despite everything going wrong for her, she was complete sunshine and I just loved her so much. Her growth and development was such a highlight for me and I loved watching her get her sparkle back.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: why choose romance, small town, grumpy x sunshine, city girl in the countryside, forced proximity, found family, she’s in hiding

[Lauren⚡️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok genuinely had so much fun with this book! also lots of representation in here between, adhd, dyslexia, depression, etc.

“I feel like the younger, brighter, sparklier version of myself that I once tried to bury is stirring. It’s a part of me who was once too soft and odd for the world, but might be just right up here. And I think I could actually like her.”

Summer is definitely for the soft girlies and we love her <3

[Maria P · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐

This was my first Why Choose Romance and I can confidently say I will be devouring Lily Gold's other works!

For a slightly longer story, I thought it would take me more time to finish but I literally could not put the story down and read it in 2 days! I was immediately sucked into Summer's plight - I've seen a lot of recent contemporary romances focus on virality being the source of problems early in the story but Summer's feels the most true and believable of the lot. To then travel to an unfamiliar remote location and be told that you have nowhere to stay, well I think anybody would be stressed.

Summer plays the ditzy pink princess but underneath, she's just like everybody else. I found the ADHD representation to be authentic to my experiences, and loved that it wasn't the centre of the story. It was a facet of Summer's journey only, and the rest of her backstory and personality could shine separately to it.

Now for the men! Each of them had their own unique stories that had been intertwined together most of their lives. They each had their own roadblocks to work through, though I will say Fraser is perhaps my favourite simply because he had the better temperament and less baggage! Cameron, the grumpy one, felt a bit more exaggerated of the three, and Alec, the distant one, was a bit too emotionally unavailable. Though each man had a good amount of development throughout the story.

Given the Why Choose trope, there was a lot more smut in this story than I usually read in a Romance - however, the strong story arcs woven throughout meant that the smut felt purposeful not just gratuitous. I adored the setting, the various plot points at play, and the history that got slowly uncovered along the way. At times, there was perhaps too much backstory, where I found myself occasionally skimming, but that may have just been because I was so eager to see what happened next!

Another area that perhaps could've been stronger, is that all the parental figures in the story were bad in some way. They may have been distant, or uncaring, or flat out verbally abusive. I would've loved to have seen a strong parental figure in the mix, though I liked that at least Alec had a friend in the local village to at least have some of that external influence. Summer's friend/boss on the other hand was pretty unlikable throughout, even though she had some funny lines. Even that side character gets some growth, but it wasn't particularly engaging for me.

Finally, the star of the show is little Crumpet the lamb! I loved the symbolism between Crumpet and Summer, it felt like they both had parallel journeys in the story and I'm glad Summer had a purpose with Crumpet even when the men were more stand-off-ish early on.

This book made me feel so content, both in the self-development journey all the characters go on, but also the peaceful escapism and creative outlets that Summer eventually uses for herself. This may be my ignorance of the Why Choose trope, but I loved that the men involved weren't petty like I would typically find in a love triangle. It was a true polyamorous relationship (with small bouts of jealousy as the relationship developed), with understanding and caring at the heart.

I highly recommend to anyone looking to dip their toe into the Why Choose trope for the first time, or for any long standing fans. This book was well-written, engaging, and all around feel-good. I can't wait to check out more of Lily Gold's work!

Thank you to Lily Gold for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Stephanie Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, flirty, and pure escapism 💄💕
Highland Hideaway by Lily Gold is everything I’ve come to expect (and love) from her why choose romances, just set against the dreamy backdrop of the Scottish countryside. And honestly? The vibe shift to rugged farmlands and windswept hills absolutely works.

This book follows Lily Gold’s winning formula: strong heroine, emotionally layered (and very hot) men, plenty of banter, found-family energy, and swoony spice. The twist this time? Three sheep farmers in the Scottish Highlands. The rural setting adds such a cozy, almost escapist charm to the story. It feels intimate, warm, and surprisingly wholesome alongside all the steam.

The dynamic between the four leads is what really shines. Each of the guys has a distinct personality, and their chemistry with the heroine (and their friendship with each other) makes the why choose setup feel natural and satisfying rather than chaotic. It’s indulgent in the best way.

My only small complaint is that it felt a little long. There were moments where the pacing dragged slightly, and the story could have been tightened up without losing emotional impact. That said, I was still fully invested the whole time.

If you’re already a fan of Lily Gold’s books, this absolutely delivers. And if you love why choose romance with rugged farmers, Scottish scenery, and lots of heart (and heat), this one is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc!

[Jordan Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis:
Summer is a famous social media influencer, about to secure her dream brand deal, when a video of her goes viral that suddenly has her cancelled and stranded in the Scottish Highlands. Now she’s losing followers, losing sponsors, and losing her confidence. Her only choice is to stay at the nearby Lochview Farm, where there are three gorgeous men. Suddenly, she’s going off grid, stepping out of the social media spotlight, and learning that there’s more to life than the number of followers she has.

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was such a fun read. In Lily Gold fashion, it was extremely spicy, and is one of those books you can just fly through reading. Summer had amazing character development, and the three male characters had such different personalities but were so well written that they all stand out on their own as well. My dream in life is to now become stranded on a Scottish farm. If you’re looking for something you can binge and blush to, this is the book to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Kelly||sketchbooksandsoftbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for this arc and now I’ll run through my honest review!

This was a 3.5 rounded up for me!

I am newer to why choose and tend to lean towards throuples, but this was fun!

Plot:
Summer is an influencer who had a bad viral moment and to get away she stays at a sheep farm with 3 hunky Scottish dudes! At first they are all annoyed by her and not sure about her, but as they get to know her, they learn to love her. This includes her struggles with pat traumas, adhd and navigating this career she isn’t sure about.

Thoughts:
I think the intimacy scenes were written really well in this story! I also really liked the adhd representation! That being said, the strife surrounding the neurodivergence was brought up repeatedly to the point where I was feeling some fatigue. I also kept rooting for Fraser to smooch the other boys! We were teased some finger touches and flirting, but alas, no boys kissing this time!

Fun spicy read!

[The Rampant Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Lily’s books and this may be my favorite. The story was full of plot and character development. Not only did the relationship develop between the main characters but the characters themselves had so much personal growth. Also Crumpet the lamb was adorable. Steamy bits were good and not overly used.

This book is an FMMM relationship. The FMC is neurodivergent and that representation is handled with care.

Tropes include: why choose?, influencer FMC, farmers/shepherds, Scottish setting, forced proximity, sunshine/grump (x2), and a Cinnamon Roll MMC.

[Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily gold is just an auto read author for me. I have so much fun with her books.

And I had so much fun with this one.
I could really feel each emotion every character felt to the point where I was getting emotional and felt sick to my stomach when they were hurting.

What didn’t work for me was the lack of tension and the way they started hooking up felt so random and maybe forced?

Overall really a fun cute sweet read ☺️

[Samantha (Booktiamo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely easy to read story, Cameron has my whole heart.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
Reverse Harem
Socialite stranded
Grumpy X sunshine/brooding silent type/golden retriever

Loved 🥰:
- firstly the fact that this book read so easily and fast. It has a lot of pages but honestly does not feel like it when you’re reading it so do not let that put you off.
- all four characters had such distinct personalities and I love the way that we get to see each of them separately and how they all come together
- these three men are so protective and only want the best for Summer it was just such a pleasure to read
- some swoon moments which made my heart swell, some romance which tugged on my heartstrings and the spicy was spicing, everything needed was in it!
- the adhd rep was so incredible, i learnt a lot and more often than not wanted to wrap summer in a big hug and tell her she was okay.

The only thing I personally wanted slightly more of was a couple more chapters in the boys POV’s rather than Summer’s

Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Range & Rep:
Adult romance
Polyamory rep
ADHD rep

[Mitali · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, this is one of my favourite neurodivergent reps EVER!! The grand gesture at the end is quite literally the stuff of my dreams. Seriously, it's the first point in my ‘Dream House’ notes file.

This is my first ARC (Thanks to the author for the eARC!) and so following is my attempt at writing my first proper review and not one that’s just notes for myself.

Expectations Vs Reality

Expectations going in: I had binged all 4 of Lily Gold's earlier books back to back in September 2022. I could not get enough. Since then I've reread them multiple times and 3 of them are in my comfort reads rotation. The heart wrenching reveals and turn-me-into-a-sobbing-mess parts are my favourites and I can't wait to read yet another Lily Gold masterpiece.

Reality: I received the ARC at 8:33 pm, started right away and got out of my pretzel position 8 hours later after finishing it in one sitting. My cry counter is at 18. It'll take me a few rereads to know if it might just be my favourite story ever, but this is definitely going in my top 3. So obviously, 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pacing and Length

Perfect length for an RH. Love that there were a few chapters of regular life at the end after the problems have all been sorted and not just an epilogue. Chapters felt the perfect length too. And we had frequent enough MMC POVs. The character developments were at a natural pace as well.

Characters

Loved that all characters had well-rounded personalities and distinct POVs. And the author had me caring about all of them in no time. All four of them have been dealt such a bad hand when it comes to their parents :( my heart hurts for them.

< SPOILERS AHEAD >
< SPOILERS AHEAD >

Cameron and His Awkward Grumbly Care

I couldn’t get enough of him. I literally had a list of Cameron moments when my face did the thing that Simone Ashley's face does in Bridgerton when she's melting. With much efforts, I narrowed my favs down to 3

He’s petting me like a nervous horse, and it’s working. I’ve never had a man try to calm me down before sex. It feels…good. Secure.

“And it’s okay that you like it. Anyone who tells you it’s not isn’t worth listening to.”

“When you’re afraid, it’s not your job to stop being scared. It’s our job to convince you you’re safe.”

Alec and His Monsters

It happens every time I tell him I love him. His eyes darken. His expression softens. His shoulders relax slightly. He looks almost…surprised. Like he never believed someone could love him.

If we’re talking about shitty parents, his father takes the cake. His father's last words literally made me numb. I was so numb all throughout the storm night part. Summer and Alec were both warring with their nightmares and that night and their nightmares came out on top. Alec with his desperate urge to get her away from danger that he pushes her away. And the pull and push reinforcing her belief of how no one can like her long term.

Fraser and His Sunshine

He was the glue holding them all together before Summer came and then the shepherd herding them all together after she came. His vulnerability, honesty and quips- mwah

“And you’re wrong. You’re not hard to like. It’s the easiest thing in the world to like you. Couldn’t stop myself if I tried. Don’t worry. I’ll fix you. I’ll like you so hard, you won’t be able to believe otherwise.”

Summer and the Neurodivergent Rep

So many of the scenes made me feel so seen. There was a wonderful portrayal of masking, sensory overload, ADHD paralysis, warring with oneself over needing accommodations, obsessively checking messages multiple times before sending them, toning oneself down, and people who’re supposed to love you not getting the extent of it all.

When Alec was telling her how much he cares for his sheep, I just kept thinking how Alec treats them better than her mother had treated her.

“What’s your ethos?” I ask. He looks up at me, eyes sombre behind his glasses. “They’re mine,” he says simply. “Every animal on this farm is mine. And when something is yours, you do everything in your power to take care of it. That’s your responsibility.” My stomach quivers. “Even if she needs all of this extra attention?” “Aye. She’s a creature, not a machine. Creatures have needs. If you’re not willing to give them what they need, you don’t deserve to have them.”

And who deserves to have Summer, our girl bursting at seams with love to give, are these 3 giant teddy bears and Crumpet (and Lulu), who shower this girl who never wants to be a distraction with so much attention; who love the ‘too much’ in her; who take a nail breaking seriously; who genuinely care about the things she cares about; who make her feel safe enough to cry even during sex if her body needs that release; who put her first; with whom she doesn’t have to hide.

“So, sure, I put on a smile and pretend sometimes. Why shouldn’t I? It’s not like it’s hurting anyone.” Cameron looks at me in disbelief. “It’s hurting you.”

I feel like the younger, brighter, sparklier version of myself that I once tried to bury is stirring. It’s a part of me who was once too soft and odd for the world, but might be just right up here. And I think I could actually like her.

The banter!

Ending on a lighter note with one of my favourite banter scenes:

“Because Alec fingered me and then didn’t let me come!” She points at me like she’s accusing me of witchcraft… Fraser gasps, gathering her to his chest protectively… “You are so mean. Come over here and make her come right now. You’ve deprived her of a basic human right.” Summer nods frantically. “We all have the right to come!” Fraser shakes his head mournfully. “God, I bet she’ll leave us such a bad Airbnb review now.” “One star—he edged me and then left me to die,” Summer says grimly.

[Eleanor]

I have never been more ready for a book before!

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't knew how much I missed Lily Gold's work not until this came out and I was able to read before thousand of people.

It definitely had that Lily Gold vibes and magic that always gets her readers. 3 men and 1 woman, who got tangled up with each other. I have to admit it's kinda started the same way as the Three Swedish Mountain Men by Lily as well, but the story and how it turned out to be? It is a different magic. I don't really know how Lily manage to make magic in her book. It made me experience a roller coaster of emotion, from feeling happy at start to 50% of the book, to happy, sad, angry, and happy again at the latter part. It's perfect.

I love how Lily's men always have that same vibe - one is so clingy and loves the FMC straight up, one is grumpy at first but inside is a softy and is just shy to show his feelings but deeply care for the FMC, and the last one is the straight up strict and bossy grumpy guy who have a soft spot for the FMC but always feel like he has the outmost responsibility out of the 3 MMC. But you know, despite having the same quality, Lily never made me felt that they were one and the same. They just have the same attitude but their backstory and their love and yearning for the FMC is always always different.

I love the chemistry of the FMC and the 3 MMC in here. They compliment each other and the MMC have their different ways to show the FMC their love, attention and care, sometimes in the most grumpiest and gruffiest ways possible.

In this book, you'd see how influencers really take everything in consideration. How people think of them, or how they should act in front of the camera or the public, that sometimes they just try to please their followers. But there are also times where the people who supports them or bully/bash them, takes it too low and just throw harsh words at them that they forget that their idol is also a human that is prone to mistakes. I just wish that everyone should be at least think twice before saying harsh words against someone.

Ultimately, don't dim your own light just to please anyone around you. Do want makes you happy, shine brightly as the star. As long as you don't hurt anyone, it's not bad to choose your self and your happiness. Because if we always please everyone, it would just drag us down and make us feel empty.

I don't know what I would do after this review. I feel like I am empty again since I don't know when Lily would make another book, but one thing's for sure, everyone would love this.

[Nicole (literary_nics) · Rating 4 out of 5]

LILY GOLD IS BACK and respectfully… do NOT trust this soft pastel, cozy farm cover. This book is sheep, Scottish highlands, emotional healing… and then suddenly you’re reading the filthiest, most chaotic why-choose romance while emotionally attached to three giant Highland men.

Summer is a fashion influencer whose life absolutely detonates after a viral scandal turns the internet against her. She escapes to the Scottish Highlands hoping to hide, regroup, and avoid public humiliation… only to end up stranded at Lochview Sheep Farm with three men who immediately assume she’s a high-maintenance city princess who won’t last five minutes in mud.

Spoiler: she stays. They absolutely spiral.

You’ve got:

🏔 Cameron, grumpy shepherd, calls her princess like it’s an insult while secretly becoming her number one caretaker
🏔 Fraser, charming, flirty chaos rancher who knows exactly what he’s doing
🏔 Alec, broody, commanding, emotionally repressed farm manager who acts like he hates her until protective instincts go completely feral

Once they realise she’s hiding from a scandal that basically destroyed her entire life, they go full protective Highland mode, and the found family vibes hit HARD. Cozy cabin energy, storm scenes, loch swims, emotional healing, and three men very committed to making sure she never feels alone again.

And listen… the spice? The spice is SPICING. Lily Gold really said “wholesome farm life but make it feral” and I respect it.

What worked for me most was how distinct each relationship felt. It never feels like chaos just for the sake of why-choose, each guy fills a different emotional role and the dynamic builds really naturally.

Why not 5⭐? I just wanted a little more time sitting in the emotional resolution after everything explodes because I was NOT ready to leave these idiots.

✨ Trope Chaos Check:
– Why choose / reverse harem
– Grumpy × sunshine × broody × charming chaos
– Forced proximity / stranded FMC
– Protective Highland men
– Found family healing

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ cozy, emotional, ridiculously spicy, and peak Lily Gold comfort chaos.

Thank you Lily Gold for the ARC! 💛📚

[Caitlynn Burnaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...I genuinely like who I am, and I'm surrounded by people who love me no matter what. I can just... be, and it's good enough."

Influencer Summer finds herself canceled after she reached her mental limit and a video of her breakdown goes viral. Suddenly, her sponsored life is also canceled and she finds herself the guest of three rugged Scotsmen. Fans of Lily Gold will be sucked back in for another lovely FMC who unwittingly begins to bond with three handsome men. Alec, Cameron, and Fraser are a unique blend of personalities, interests, and pleasures. It's even more wonderful to watch how each man swoops in to rescue her in their own way.

Gold has a way of drawing her characters together - displaying how beautifully their personalities, strengths, and weaknesses all complement the others. The ADHD representation is *chef's kiss* perfection. Summer's fear of failure and rejection, her shame around self-expression, and her inner monologue had me pausing with tears in my eyes. I love when books just 'get it' - and this one absolutely clicks! So, if you're on the hunt for sweet and sexy, emotional tension, found family, neurodivergence and mental health rep with some serious spice, Highland Hideaway will not disappoint! It is absolute ecstasy how something can be so searingly spicy and achingly sweet at the same time.

Say what you want about romance and women's literature, but it's books like these I come away from feeling comfortable and confident in my own skin. In the end, this is no doubt a love story, but it's also a story of a girl who learns to accept and love herself. And I think that might be the greatest gift anyone can ever possess. You're not too loud, too dramatic, too emotional, too much - you're YOU. You're worthy of love and you're amazing exactly as you are.

Thank you to Lily Gold, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the honor of reading Highland Hideaway and offering my honest review.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily Gold never disappoints!
I loved this book, this is a cozy but full of feelings read, this is a warm embrace of understanding each other and still falling in love.
The story itself is simple, an influencer gets canceled and goes on a retreat to Scotland to make refreshing posts but it doesn't go as planned and shr ends up stuck with 3 very hit farmers.
Our girl Summer is a very lovable girl,she is sunshine and glitter, she suffers from ADHD and she has to pretend to be someone she isn't to please others.
Cameron is our grumpy man, he doesn't do love but cares so much for others.
Alec is our traumatized man, carries the world on his shoulder,blames himself for everything and ends up pushing away everyone that loves him.
Fraiser is our flirty man, he is charming and loving but also has his fears.
The three men end up being what Summer needs to help her be herself and she ends up fixing their broken hearts.
I really liked the characters and the storyline. This book made me feel things and made me think about so many things too. I really fell in love with these four amazing characters and their farm life.
I also want to say that the acknowledgements made me emotional because nothing hurts more than wanting to do what we love and being unable to. So, Lily, if you ever read this,know that I'm proud of you, I've read all your books and I got to say that this one is your best, you still got it. Your spark never left you!
I want to thank the author,the publisher and Netgalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[rosyyy.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮, 𝙑𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙨!

Started: 02/7/2026 - 9:58 P.M.
Ended: 02/9/2026 - 7:08 P.M.

One thing about me is that I'm a total Lily Gold fanatic, and girl did I squeal when I saw this ARC available for request on Netgalley! I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

I have read my fair share of why choose romance books in the past, and though it's not really my go-to trope to pick up, I still have my favorites among Lily Gold's repertoire but goodness does this book bump its way to the top of my list! I seriously loved everything about this book! With the Scottish Highlands setting, ADHD representation, as well as the sad truth about social media cancel culture, this book gave an appropriate depth to an otherwise light read spicy romance. I also loved the dynamic between the FMC and MMCs, the blend between the cliche Grumpy, Flirty, and Traumatized MMC Trio, along with the doubtful FMC who knows her worth and doesn't immediately trust/forgives a man who broke her heart without some serious groveling? Gosh does it work so well!

At the end of the day, women being spoiled and loved like the Princess we all are, is what I want to see from my Romance books and this book definitely delivered that. Definitely a 5 star read for me.

[Blair Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that follows this book in my TBR is going to have a hard time living up to Lily Golds writing. Highland Hideaway it’s not just a why choose contemporary romance. It goes into social media and how it can rule one’s life. Our FMC, Summer, is almost a 5 million followers and when she is recorded at a party having a meltdown over a broken lipstick… she is just torn apart by everybody. People are saying such horrible things and the thing is you see this every day on social media in real life. I feel like Lily really hit it on the head about the emotions. One feels and the really the behind the scenes of what a person goes through and what they think while they’re going through being canceled. And not only that Summer has ADHD. And I feel like that was represented really well. The guys were also fantastic. Cameron is your broody one who is really kind of a golden retriever. Alec…who is also just a worry wart. And Fraser the comic relief. I loved every single one of them, and I loved their interactions and the growth that each individual character showed in this book. I will tell you because I read so much not all stories stick with me, but this one will just like a lot of Lilly Golds books do. I laughed. I cried. I got angry. 5 stars from me

Thank you to Lily Gold and Victory Editing for the complementary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[bookedinthepnw · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review (releasing February 25, 2026):
Highland Hideaway by Lily Gold was full of heart and emotional depth, while also being super fun, cozy, and hottt! I’ve read a few romances set in the Scottish Highlands, but this has to be my favorite one, and also the only why-choose romance set there!

The book is about Summer, an influencer who gets cancelled for seeming vapid and materialistic when really she’s just crumbling under the pressures of people-pleasing her social media fan base and her toxic mom who belittles her life and her ADHD. She’s stranded in Scotland when a brand deal falls through last minute, and the only Airbnb in the area happens to be managed by 3 sexy Scots: Cameron, Fraser, and Alec.

I really loved the delicacy with which the author developed Alec and Summer’s individual growth arcs to find individual acceptance and happiness. I also have to say that Crumpet the lamb and Cameron are tied for my favorite characters. Crumpet because she’s the cutest lamb ever, and Cameron because he’s the biggest cinnamon roll and he would go to WAR for Summer, and told off her mother :)

Read for:
🐑 Why choose romance
🐑 ADHD & Depression Rep
🐑 Cinnamon roll MMC
🐑 Golden retriever MMC
🐑 People pleaser FMC
🐑 Therapy Rep
🐑 Life after grief
🐑 Crumpet the lamb
🐑 Kilts
🐑 DP

Thank you NetGalley and Lily Gold for the advance copy to review!

[Dominique Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC gifted in exchange for review

Lily Gold is my why choose romance queen so I was very excited to read this one, then I saw it was set in Scotland and I was even more excited.

Where do the good boys go to hideaway? Well, the Scottish highlands of course!

If you’re in the market for a very spicy but sweet why choose romance with a great plot and Grumpy x sunshine, run don’t walk to grab this. I had such a great time reading this story. Summer is such a sweetheart and I wanted to protect her at all costs. Fraser is our easy going sunshine guy, Cam is our broody grumpy guy with the biggest heart and sweet Alec…he’s the protector, the brooder, the one willing to sacrifice himself to take care of everyone else. I wanted to give them all the biggest hugs. This was fun, spicy and heartfelt but it also had mental health and ADHD representation that was really well done. I love the relationship Summer formed with each guy, and how they supported her and helped her see herself and her dreams with fresh kinder eyes. If her mother has no haters, I’m not among the living. She is a foul evil creature and she doesn’t deserve anything good in this life.
The spice in this book was top tier, 3.75 chili peppers. This book made me smile, laugh, cry and swoon. If you’re looking for something sweet but spicy with a compelling plot, give this one a go.

[Lynsay McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily Gold delivers an irresistibly engaging romance that blends humour, heart, and heat with impressive ease. From the moment three charismatic Scottish heroes stride onto the page the story captures your attention and never lets go.

Summer’s character is particularly compelling. Her openness, vulnerability, and very modern struggles with social media make her feel instantly relatable. While the novel certainly brings the spice, it never sacrifices emotional depth. Each character is given space to shine, and their individual journeys are crafted with such care that you can’t help but root for every one of them.
Their search for connection and happiness is tender, messy, and deeply human.

The narrative takes you on a genuine emotional roller coaster, balancing heartfelt moments with laugh out loud scenes that keep the story buoyant and joyful. It’s a testament to Gold’s skill that the book feels both wildly fun and surprisingly moving.

This was my first Lily Gold novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. Her blend of wit, warmth, and character driven storytelling makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lily Gold for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Danny Kearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Oh, how I’ve missed a Lily Gold romance!

I love a reverse harem trope, and this is Lily Gold at her absolute finest.

Sweet Summer finds herself caught in the storm of a viral video fiasco and stranded in the Highlands of Scotland. I really loved how her neurodivergence was portrayed and how it shapes the way she experiences and views the world .It felt thoughtful, compassionate, and authentic.

There, she meets three sexy Scottish shepherds, each with their own complicated pasts and relationship struggles, yet all of them see Summer for the shining light she truly is.

Together, they help her rediscover her true passion in life, learn to stand up for herself, and recover from her people-pleasing tendencies. In turn, Summer helps them find balance between farm life and their emotional worlds, unpack their own traumas, and begin building a future together.

I adored this story so much—it might be one of my favorite Lily Gold books to date. It was full of heart and compassion, while also thoughtfully addressing heavier topics such as childhood abuse, depression, injury, abandonment, and child neglect.

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author, but it will not be my last. Such an enjoyable page-turner!

Summer is a mess of a woman, with serious "imposter" energies that have her stressed out! On top of trying to maintain her influencer status and ensure that her followers continue to "love" her, she's battling her ADHD symptoms that threaten to derail everything. It's easy to understand her need for a break, and empathize with her struggles. She has some funny interactions with some promotional products, and the baby Crumpet are some of my favorite parts of this one. IYKYK. :)

The pages turned themselves as I followed her introduction and subsequent steamy interactions with Cameron, Fraser and Alec. Each of the guys have reasons for being on, and working at Alec's farm, and I enjoyed how the 4 of them found their forever. The author does a good job balancing the sweet emotions of the guy's individual connections to Summer, and their steamy desire and claiming to share her between them.

I look forward to reading more from this author in the future, and recommend this book.
I received an ARC (thank you) from Netgalley, and my thoughts are my own.