From Scotland With Love

by Claire Gillies

Lori Robertson hasn’t set foot in her home-village of Arlochy for most of her adult life. Now a successful businesswoman in New York, Lori has the perfect life - the job and the handsome boyfriend, until everything is disrupted by a panicked yet excited phone-call from her younger sister Tammy, making Lori urgently go home for her sister’s suspicious last minute wedding.

Once finally back home, she is to face all that she left behind, including Callum Macrae, her first love and best man to the wedding, who never quite forgave her abrupt departure all those years ago.

Lori finds herself embroiled in her sister’s secrets, causing her to spend more time with Callum, forcing her to confront all she gave up.

Can Lori stop running away from her heart and see if second chances really do exist?

Genres: Romance

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2022

About the author

Claire Gillies is a Scottish author of heartfelt, uplifting fiction filled with warmth, wit, and a touch of mischief.
A Highlander born and raised, she now lives by the sea with her family, between forest and shore, where she drinks too much coffee and dreams up new stories of love, friendship, and hope.

When she’s not writing, Claire’s likely swimming in the sea, wandering the woods, or making flower wreaths for her front door. She loves history, costume dramas, and bold colour — and she’s quietly opinionated about cake (moist or nothing!).

💌 Find her online at www.clairegillies.com and follow for updates, book news, and glimpses of her Highland life.

Reviews

[Pauline Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori was quite alright living in New York working for a fashion label place in Manhattan, until she got a pleading phone call from her sister, asking her to come home to Scotland, to help her with her wedding plans. All very well but she had to face an ex boyfriend from her younger years, and also she will be leaving behind a boyfriend in New York. Tricky, very tricky.

This was such an entertaining read with plenty of dramas, dolphins, dolphins? Yes dolphins was definitely a treat worth reading about, alot of kayaking, along with wedding plans and nothing like your good ol' home cooking. Gran, was the one that was a dab hand of that, with her scones, roast beef, fluffy potatoes and Yorkshire Puddings. Twists and turns kept my attention.

The author gives us a beautiful description of Scottish village life, along with the "och" , "wee" and "aye" with also a taste of a Scottish game that's quite facinating.

All in all this was such a relaxing, easy read, in bonny Scotland that I'm definitely giving this a 5 star review/rating.

Genre - contemporary, chick lit, romance, womens fiction

Thank you goes out to the author, Claire Gillies, an Indie Author who gave me a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
.
Claire Gillies was born and raised in the Highlands of Scotland.

Claire splits her time between Scotland and Australia with her lovely Irish husband and their son. She is a cat lover (without the cat) and takes her other interests very seriously - a connoisseur of coffee, cake and gin!

[Elina · Rating 5 out of 5]

" all the years apart, and the seas that were between us, they never stopped me loving you..."

🛍Lori is from the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. She moved to New York to create her story and she really succeded! She has the job every girl dreams of, she's working as a buyer for Costners. She is very successful and she is in a relationship with a very successful and handsome lawyer. So one can say she has everything and she must be very happy. But deep inside she wants something different, some kind of adventure, and she will live a big adventure when she returns to her homeland, Arlochy in Scotland for her sister's wedding!

⛰️🌸When she returned to Arlochy she realized she had forgotten how beautiful it was..The River Ness, small stone buildings and Victorian red sandstone houses in between trees. Gardens full with colorful flowers and trees heavy with blossoms...She remembered all the great times she had when she lived there, the summer nights spent by the sea front, barbecues in their garden, the smell of smoke and sea salt in the air, participating in the competitions at the Produce Show...and of course Callum, the gorgeous boy from her school... She loved living in New York but her return to homeland made her reconsider..

🌸🌺How I loved this story...The descriptions, the family connection, and the funny events she got into..😅

❤️It is a heartwarming, funny and feel-good romance story. And of course it takes place to the most beautiful Country, in my opinion, Scotland! I really wish one day I can visit the Highlands.
Thank you Claire Gillies. I can't wait to read more of your adventures 💕

[Sara M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, the Scottish Highlands and Islands!

I have to admit that I started reading this book wondering if it would be possible to like the book if you disliked the main character. Lori Robertson is a successful business woman working in fashion in New York. She has a handsome and successful boyfriend and she has all but forgotten her past in a small village in Scotland – many people actually think she is from Australia and she has no problem with that! When her sister calls her and tells her she needs to come home Lori goes back to Scotland. At first she seemed very full of herself or even rude towards the people who had stayed home but little by little she begins to open up and this is where this book really shines! I loved the way the Scottish Highlands were portrayed, I loved the village life and all the friends and family that lived there. I am a huge fan of Scotland and this book was the perfect way to visit all these places I haven’t been able to travel to for a while.

Thank you so much Claire Gillies for sending me the e-book to read and review!

[Eemsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire describes life in the Scottish highlands as I imagine it to be. Claire her books always have a way of making me think of our family holidays in Scotland and driving through the Highlands trying to see everything.

The Robertson family is filled to the brim with love and Callum is exactly what you want in a small town book boyfriend. Me personally would've liked to see the romance unfold a little earlier but that's me. And then there was Mary, she is like the head of the family and the grandmother of the Robertson sisters. She was amazing! How she sees everything and loves everyone for who they are is just perfect.

This story will warm your heart on a cold winters day and is just absolutely stunning!

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would just like to say a big thank you to the author who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of her book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.

This book is set in the Scottish Highlands and through the authors wonderful writing I definitely felt like i was there too.

It was such a lovely story and the small town life was written perfectly too and i really enjoyed it.

From Scotland With Love was a great escapist read and very heartwarming too.

Callum was the most perfect book boyfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed getting immersed in his and Lori’s story…..

[Marie-Jose Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Scotland with love - Claire Gillies

Lori Robertson is living in New York, working for a high-end fashion company where she spends most of her time. It demands a lot, but promotion is in sight. She accompanies her boyfriend Michael to luxurious dinners and evenings out but mostly it's work for both of them. She enjoys the success they both have and thinks this is the life she always wanted. Over the years, she saw little of the remote Scottish village of Arlochy where she is from, but that is about to change. Her youngest sister Tammy calls with important news that rushes Lori back home, disrupting everything that was so carefully planned and organised.
Back in Arlochy she is forced to face everything she left behind and that includes her old flame Callum. He was hurt by her departure and is not planning to let her off the hook so easy.
Trapped in Tammy's issues Lori has no choice but to help her sister and is also forced to review her past as well as her present to make things right. Can she finally listen to her heart and stop running? Maybe second chances do exist?

Whenever a story is set in rural Scotland, I'm in. I just love the Highlands and little coastal villages, the slower pace of life and the strong bonds people tend to have there. Claire Gillies brings it all to the table, and more! You really get to know Lori and her family, what happened in the past, and why she left. As she spends time back in Arlochy, she finally has to review everything and heal. This journey of soul-searching is very well written and emotional. I learned so much about the family dynamics that I felt a part of it and I've met heartwarming characters as well as others I loved to hate!
I liked that Claire Gillies playfully switched perspectives so you get to know thoughts and feelings of other characters too. This also brings spung to the story and makes sure it doesn't slow down too much in the lovingly described surroundings of the village and beyond. There are some twists in the plot that were refreshing and surprising. Towards the end things speed up a little. I was worried it might get raffled too much, but luckily that never happened, it all turned out to be exactly the way I love it.
The epilog gives an idea which way their lives will unfold and leaves me hoping for a soon to read part two. I love this story so much, I really hope it will be a long running series like Virgin River. There is enough in the story to continue on for following stories, but you don't have to worry the story is left with a cliffhanger or too many questions. It is wrapped up nicely and the epilog is a very nice way to close the book with a sigh; This was just wonderfull! I loved it a lot.
Thank you, Claire Gillies for letting me read your beautiful book!

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, I enjoyed "From Scotland With Love" by Claire Gillies. I've always dreamed of traveling to the Scottish Highlands, so the book's setting in the quirky small town of Arlochy was a particular draw for me. Arlochy's rural location and proximity to Scotland's offshore islands made it unique, and I loved getting a glimpse into a way of life that was so different from anything I've ever experienced. For example, I can't imagine having to take two ferries just to visit a relative!

As for the story itself, I have to admit that it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I would describe it as more women's fiction (with romantic elements) than a true romance novel, and the narration seemed to be a bit scattered at times - almost a stream of consciousness. That said, it worked for me because it was such a character-driven story and told solely from the perspective of main character Lori Robertson.

I didn't find Lori to be the most likeable protagonist at first, but she came a long way over the course of the story. She learned valuable lessons about the importance of family and home while repairing her relationships with her grandmother, two sisters, and former sweetheart Callum Macrae. Lori and Callum's second chance romance was sweet, though IMO their relationship was built a bit too much on the past. There were times I questioned what Callum saw in Lori after so many years apart; they didn't seem to have much in common anymore. But their love for each other was genuine, and I guess that's the most important thing.

I'd recommend "From Scotland With Love" for all contemporary romance and women's fiction fans and plan to continue with the series.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story
Lori is a fashion buyer for a New York based department store. She’s overworked and stressed, but when her sister Tammy calls and asks her to come home to Scotland to help plan a rush wedding, she can’t say no. Lori left Scotland for Australia years ago and hasn’t looked back. But it meant that she hasn’t had much contact with her gran and sisters. Even her boyfriend Michael doesn’t know that she comes from Scotland. Back in the Scottish highlands, Lori reconnects with her roots, and former boyfriend Callum. And for Lori, her return date keeps getting pushed out. Is it fate at work?

My thoughts
This story is a real love letter to the Scottish highlands ❤️ I enjoyed seeing how Lori’s complicated relationship with her family is dealt with, even though they support and miss her. I was surprised at the various events that delay Lori’s return to New York, as these take the story down a longer journey than I was expecting. In the end, this story says a lot about finding passion in life and work.

Read a copy courtesy of the author
My rating 3.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lori’s life is everything she’s worked for since leaving her hometown all those years ago. She’s got an important job in fashion, a successful boyfriend, and a comfortable life in New York City. One day a frantic phone call from her younger sister leads to her hoping on a plane back home and stepping back into the world she left behind and her first love.

From Scotland with Love is much more than a second chance romance story it’s really Lori’s story about finding herself again and what makes her truly happy. Lori reconnecting with Callum really opened to her eyes to everything that’s changed around her and made her realize she can’t change the things that have already happened but she can change her future.

The homey feel of the Scottish Highlands and the wonderful family and friends in Lori’s life would lend itself to a really nice feel good series. I would really like to see another book about Lori and Callum together since the epilogue gave us a tiny glimpse of their happiness.


Thank you @clairegillies_ for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Eeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big thank you to @clairegillies_ for giving me the opportunity to review this book. I am sooo happy that you asked me because I loved it!

Lori Robertsson lives in New York. She has a great job, a good boyfriend and is living her life the best she can in this big city. She is originally from a small village called Arlochy in Scotland but has also been a few years in Australia.

One day she gets a call from her sister Tammy because she needs help to plan her wedding. Even though Lori is about to maybe get a promotion at work she decides that this is the perfect time to go back home for a while. She hasn’t been there for years.

In Arlochy we get to meet her whole family, her sisters and their families, her wonderful grandmother and her old friends and ex-boyfriend Callum.

This is such a wonderful story about a wonderful family, about finding your true love and figuring out what is important in your life and worklife. I would love to read more about what happened next.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I have found a new auto-read author! Claire depicts life in the Scottish Highlands. As a Scottish lass, as soon as a book is set in bonnie Scotland I'm hooked, this is no exception.
I think she perfectly captured small town life and how one might feel they need to escape from it.
I loved the Robertson family and I feel like there is so much to explore with them that this could be the start to a lovely series.
Callum is exactly what you want in a book boyfriend and I loved seeing his and Lori's growth throughout.
Mary and Bracken were obviously the standout stars of the story. Mary is exactly the kind of matriarch we all want to head up our family.
Great characters, great pacing to the story, great scenery. A future hit I think!

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely heartwarming read with the Robertson family in the Arlochy series from Claire Gillies.
Full of great characters, I especially loved the character of Gran - she was certainly the heart of the family. The way she pulled the three girls together and any other waifs and strays was so lovely.
Lori was an interesting one, seemingly so set on her lifestyle and career in New York, it was wonderful seeing her take stock home in her village.
I’m hoping there’s much more to come from Lori and the girls.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: From Scotland with Love
Author: Claire Gillies

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 4/5

Of the 15 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
13 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
14 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
“I so enjoyed this novel. The author did a fab job of developing the chemistry between Lori and Callum. I also loved the Scottish setting; the author puts it over so richly you just want to go there.” Female reader, aged 43
“Loved Lori, not so keen on the sister! I liked how the author developed the two characters, Callum being the best man was a superb twist. This is very much a character led novel helped along by the vast Scottish setting and the charisma of the central characters.” Male reader, aged 29
“I would happily recommend this story to anybody who (a) has never been to Scotland and/or (b) who enjoys a gently developing romance. The most interesting character is Lori as she returns to her roots. I liked her way; she’s not too self-absorbed, and she’s strong minded too.” Female reader, aged 71
“Clever plotting helped by a strong, memorable setting.” Female reader, aged 44

To Sum It Up:
‘A cosy romance with a strong, relatable protagonist. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[TheBookMum13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was looking forward to picking this one up, especially after finding out the author is a local 🥰

I loved this read! Lori is a career gal, and seems to lack the work no. Working her hardest for her boss and trying to juggle everything. After a call from home... she's on her way back to bonnie Scotland.

There Lori comes face to face with her past life and town she called home.... and Callum Macrae. Her first love... who is also the best man at the wedding she is a bridesmaid.

In classic small town fashion especially in Scotland, there is secrets, there is gossip, there is scandal 😀

I think this read really highlights the fact some people just fling themselves into work day in and out and forgets the bigger picture.

Really enjoyed this read and the writing overall! One to recommend for sure 🥰

[Lindzanne1_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Lori. She’s excelling in her career in fashion and loves her New York City lifestyle. She hasn’t been home to Scotland in years until she gets an unexpected phone call from her sister. What will unfold when she travels back to the Highlands?

This is a story of family, self discovery, and love. It was fun to follow along with Lori as she reconnects with her family and finds herself again even though she didn’t realize she needed to. There are lots of heartfelt moments with a good mix of humor too! I loved her interactions with Callum and their slow burn romance!

Thank you so much Claire for the gifted copy!

[Eileen Stubbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book took me 2 days to read it
got lost in the book as I love Scotland very much felt I was there look forward to the next one

[Mrs. Susan Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This was a wonderful book to read.I was right in this story and I will read it again, it was so good.

[Liz Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like all books set in Scotland, my home country. My first by this author and I look forward to reading more. Definitely five stars.

[Michelle Halber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really remember this book 2 weeks after reading it, so I'm sure it was fine.