A HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP is the second book in Laura Trentham’s “Highland, Georgia” series about Scottish transplanted characters discovering a small town in Georgia and being surprised to find love. Even though this book is part of a series, I believe A HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP works as a standalone novel as well. Planning a local Highland Scottish-themed festival draws Anna Maitland and Iain Connors together – however inconveniently and reluctantly. This is a good book for readers who enjoy when a couple has a rocky beginning.

This book was all about the hero for me. Iain is a Scottish hottie who’s introspective, has a cool scar, is not afraid to get down and dirty to help this heroine out, and is an overall nice guy. Sigh. Iain doesn’t see himself in quite the same glowing terms that a romance fan would see him. Likewise, Anna is physically attractive, helps dozens of young people in her dance classes and in their lives each day, and is all-around overachiever, but her past relationship with her mother leaves her with occasional self-doubt. I think that these two help each other grow and make each other better, which is the sign of any strong relationship. Initially I found Anna to be a little caustic in her approach to Iain, but I could also understand her frustrations, and Laura Trentham does a good job of explaining why she’s so combative with Iain and why she uses defense mechanisms. I like how this story is told from alternating perspectives so that readers get a better understanding of the two main characters.

A HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP has certified highlander hotness with great storytelling and a couple with a chemistry that’s explosive. You should start this book because the hero is not to be missed, but you’ll end up staying for the story. I look forward to the next “Highland, Georgia” novel.