Book Review: A Highlander Walks into a Bar by Laura Trentham

A Highlander Walks into a Bar 

by Laura Trentham

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Synopsis:

The timeless romance, soaring passion—and gorgeous men—of Scotland comes to modern-day America. And the rules of love will never be the same…


Isabel Buchanan is fiery, funny, and never at a loss for words. But she is struck speechless when her mother returns from a trip to Scotland with a six-foot-tall, very handsome souvenir. Izzy’s mother is so infatuated by the fellow that Izzy has to plan their annual Highland Games all by herself. Well, not completely by herself. The Highlander’s strapping young nephew has come looking for his uncle…


Alasdair Blackmoor has never seen a place as friendly as this small Georgia town—or a girl as brilliant and beguiling as Izzy. Instead of saving his uncle, who seems to be having a lovely time, Alasdair decides he’d rather help Izzy with the Highland Games. Show her how to dance like a Highlander. Drink like a Highlander. And maybe, just maybe, fall in love with a Highlander. But when the games are over, where do they go from here?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

The formality in her voice was nothing new. When he was four and home from his first day at preschool, his mum hadn’t asked him if he’d made friends or had fun. She’d asked him whether his day had been “satisfactory.”


Being a Southerner made her especially sensitive to jokes about no one wearing shoes or everyone using an outhouse or the lack of teeth. And absolutely no one of her acquaintance had married a cousin.


He’s done well for himself even if he does trail eau de manure. But you’d never be short of barbecue or bacon, so that’s a plus.


“I assume you’re well versed at your age, but responsible sex is important. I read in the London Times that the STD infection rate is actually highest amongst the elderly.” “Elderly?” Gareth’s shoulders bowed up and reminded Alasdair of a bull shown a red cape. “I can still put you flat on your back, laddie.”


“Do you have condoms?” “Even if I did have some, they probably would have expired.” “Disintegrated is more like. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.”


He was so quintessentially all-American he should be handing out baseballs and apple pies to foreigners as they alighted from airplanes.



My Review:



Having both Scottish and Southern roots, I derived considerable pleasure from reading Laura Trentham’s latest offering, which kicks off a new series with a lively start. I was waffling on how to rate this pleasantly amusing tale and in going through my marked highlights I had to bow to Ms. Trentham’s sly and deft deployment of wry wit and sparkling levity. The storylines were slowly entangled and laced together gradually yet were pleasantly engaging and entertaining throughout. I was frequently smirking at Izzy’s foot in mouth tendencies and physical awkwardness as well as the verbal sparring and lively banter that sparked among the various characters, their quips and rejoinders were clever and snicker-worthy. I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment and hoping for a similar “Hotty MacScottypants.”

About The Author

Laura Trentham is an award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance, including Then He Kissed Me and The Military Wife. She is a member of RWA, and has been a finalist multiple times in the Golden Heart competition. A chemical engineer by training and a lover of books by nature, she lives in South Carolina.