8 Scottish Romances to Celebrate My Summer Vacay

Plus: preorder your signed copy of LOVE ON THE ROCKS!

~ Sing me a songggg of a lass that is goneeee ~

Hello there! Now that I’ve finally conquered my jet lag, I’m back to recap my trip of a lifetime to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I hadn’t been on an international vacation with just my husband since our honeymoon five years ago, so it was wonderful spending the past two weeks gallivanting around the Highlands and enjoying each other’s company.

We had tons of fun exploring Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, and Inverness, and I kept my promise that I wouldn’t run off and touch some magical stones in an attempt to time travel back to Jamie Fraser.

But goddamn was I tempted 😉

Of course, Outlander isn’t the only Scottish romance out there, so if you’re like me and have been itching to get your hands on some more men in kilts, here is a list of eight books to add to your TBR.

8 Scottish Book Boyfriends You Need to Meet

(Note: All links, if available, lead to Bookshop.org. If you make a purchase, you’ll support local, independent bookstores, and I’ll earn a small commission as an affiliate. It’s a win-win!)

Read and Recommended

1. Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley (2024). Kiley’s debut novel, Kilt Trip, made my list of most anticipated romances this year, and it was a fun romp! It stars Logan, a Scottish tour guide, and Addie, a travel consultant tasked with giving his company a modern makeover. And much like my own workplace romance, Love Apptually, it takes more than a little convincing to get these men on board. Gimme all the office enemies to lovers!

2. The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn (2021). This was my first time reading Meghan Quinn, and The Highland Fling is a cinematic rom-com made for the silver screen. Despite its Hallmark-esque backdrop of a Scottish coffee shop, it’s got banter and bite. I listened to the book on audio while climbing a mountain, and it was all the sarcasm and sparks that got me through that trek.

3. A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera (2022). Don’t let this book’s title fool you: although it indeed stars a Caribbean heiress in Paris, her Scottish lover brings the steam. I am still thinking about that back-alley kiss! So, if you’d like to witness a battle of wits between rum and whisky barrels, this is the romance for you.

On My Radar

4. When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare (2015). This was the book I brought with me to Scotland, but I made the mistake of starting A Court of Mist and Fury first, and let’s just say a 600-page book doesn’t leave room for much else. But I’m so excited to jump into this story, which takes a Scottish twist on the whole “Canadian boyfriend” trope. Not to mention, anyone who says they don’t buy a book solely based on its cover clearly hasn’t seen this one 😍

5. Melt for You by J.T. Geissinger (2018). Melt for You came personally recommended to me by The Smut Report, and I was immediately intrigued by its premise: a Scottish rugby captain giving seduction tips to a modern-day wallflower. I haven’t had the chance to read it yet, but I know it’s only a matter of time before I’m melting too.

6. Whisky Business by Elliot Fletcher (2023). I’m an absolute sucker for a big city glam girl and a small-town grumpy misanthrope, and now that I’ve seen the Isle of Skye firsthand, I know it’s the perfect setting. I’m not the biggest fan of whisky, but if there’s a hot Scottish distiller involved, I will make an exception!

7. Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne (2022). If you’ve noticed a trend with most Scottish romances, people of color are unfortunately left out—which is a shame since the UK today owes so much of its culture to its diversity. Lisa Rayne leads the way with this historical tale between a Black Highlander and the captive woman he kidnaps. I volunteer as tribute!

8. Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson (2024). This book doesn’t come out until Dec. 3, but between the punny title and its perfect cover, I’m already hooked. A shifter romance about the Loch Ness monster?! I cannot WAIT.

And Speaking of Books…

You’re hearing it first: Paperbacks of Love on the Rocks have finally arrived, and you can now preorder a signed copy before everyone else!

And that’s not all—by ordering directly from me on Etsy, you’ll also receive an exclusive bookmark and sticker set, created by @joburns.designs.

I cannot get over how freakin’ cute these goodies are! Romance readers and climbing enthusiasts alike will want to get their hands on these “Only One Van” and “The Floor is Lava” stickers. Absolutely adorable!

Stock is limited, so don’t miss out on the rock-climbing romance of the fall.

“Yosemite is one of those places that will change your life if you let it. So I love seeing others appreciate its grandeur. If you loved You with a View, check out Love on the Rocks.” ~ Goodreads reviewer

And stay tuned for my next post. I’m turning 35 this month, so I’ll be sharing the 35 lessons I’ve learned in my first year as a published author. Get ready for my hottest of takes!