This is my first book by this author, of course, what caught my eye was the hype around this title being sweet with a side of smut. The premise is that of the heroine being on a sabbatical in the Scottish Highlands to recover from a breakup.
The heroine Harper is a plus-size, bisexual marketing executive from Manchester. It is a LGBTQ-positive story. The hero Fraser is a Scottish handyman, living in the highlands, working to preserve local nature, and a carpenter by hobby and passion. Their initial meeting is bumpy and very unwelcome to both. The initial attraction, though, more than makes up for the rough first impressions.
A tiring several-mile walk in the wild, followed by a last-minute Airbnb cancellation and having to walk without directions to find a place for the night, makes Harper very grumpy and tired. A reluctant Fraser, after much deliberation, kindly offers Harper a roof for the night. She cautiously accepts. As she settles in the cabin, which doubles as Fraser's workplace, sparks fly. A month-long vacation for Harper is off to a start that pulls her out of her comforting cut ways.
Days go on and they get closer to each other, but they also blossom as individuals, giving their passions and dreams a chance to live, breathe and thrive. As goes with most romances, their stubborn streaks come into play; Harper ends her vacation early and returns to Manchester. Back in the Highlands, Fraser is back to being grumpy and pining after Harper, which everyone around him notices. Soon, though, the lovebirds are back together and making new plans for their future together.
- The story is warm, fun, playful, and even, the emotional, vulnerable moments come from the character's personal struggles and family.
- The characters are lovely, relatable and the quiet beauty of nature in the Scottish Highlands is an inspiring, calm backdrop to the romance.
- The emotions are portrayed in a subtle manner, and the characters are as vulnerable as they are strong. It was a great balance of emotions and playfulness.
In the mood for some sweet, spicy, smutty romance set in nature and part of a small, warm community, pick a copy now.
A cosy autumnal retreat in the Scottish Highlands is the perfect escape for city girl, Harper… Until she is stranded in the forest with nowhere to stay.
Fraser, a gruff local woodcutter, reluctantly offers her his lumberjack’s cabin on one condition – she mustn’t distract him from his duties.
But Fraser is finding his beautiful guest annoyingly hard to ignore. And the way he chops firewood – dogged, powerful and precise – is distracting Harper too. Soon, as the flame-red leaves fall overhead, Harper and Fraser are both forced to wonder: Am I falling faster?
No excerpt available.
© 2003-2026