Review of 'A Scottish Highland Hideaway' by Julie Shackman

Review of 'A Scottish Highland Hideaway' by Julie Shackman

Release date: August 15, 2024

Publisher: One More Chapter

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REVIEW

First I want to say I adored A Scottish Highland Hideaway by Julie Shackman and felt it was a solid well composed story from start to finish. It is set within a beautiful Highland location and contains a plot that flows appropriately within its time frame. The lead characters are warm, winsome and their dilemmas authentic to their society and professional positions. It held my attention completely and I read it straight through with hardly a break. I was caught up in the lives of Bailey and her friends and family. And kept a keen eye on her enemies! I truly felt uplifted by the end of the novel with its happy feel-good romance outcome.

There are always lots of wonderful elements in Julie’s romance mystery novels such as witty humour and playful banter. But underneath there are subtle serious messages. Often they are about unacceptable human behaviour and its consequences. Plus, its effects on the victims. In this case, it is about a famous girl who has been robbed by a con man (from a band) and left at the altar. He played her, took her money and run. She is devastated at being deceived and humiliated and now has trust issues. She comes from a high society family: her parents are an Earl and Countess and they live in a mansion that would ‘make Downton Abbey look like a semi-detached’. She is Lady Anastasia but has been nicknamed by the tabloids as ‘the Bollinger Babe’ – a party girl, always carrying around a bottle of Bollinger wine.

But after the con man, Declan, rips her off and the news is far spread in the media, she tries desperately to distance herself from that world and lifestyle. To forget the shambles of her past, she escapes to the Scottish town of Heather Moore, sets up a florist business, creates a new identity as Bailey McArthur, owner of Flower Power and turns over a new leaf. She wants to prove she can make a go of it without the help of her title. She wants rebuild her self-worth; to make sound choices and carve out a living that she can be proud of and feel good about. Bailey’s business has not been running long but it’s doing well. It seems she has a real talent in flower arranging, which is reflected in her happy repeat customers.

One day, Ezra, a famous actor enters her shop. He has recently moved into the area, bought a grand old place and restored it. He loves flowers and now wants a florist to supply a variety to his home on a regular basis and to adorn a special event. It is soon clear, he is also running away from something or someone. In fact, it is a scandal. We get hints of this from a journalist who has been digging around. It seems Ezra has upset a lot of people after publishing his life story where he exposes some bad people in the movie industry. This makes him an easy target and the town he has hidden himself in is no longer his safe haven. Other issues arise, too, of the personal nature due to what he has written in the book. Bailey, whose identity remains concealed, tries to help him, because she knows what it is like to judged unfairly. He misunderstands her intentions and turns against her for a while. But, of course, over the course of the novel, as revelations occur, his perceptions change when our heroine saves the day.

One of the things I love about Julie’s stories is that although they may seem light on the surface, they are not and have layers of meaning. When looking closer, it is apparent that A Scottish Highland Hideaway exposes deep psychological and societal issues. Particularly seen in the characters who are in the public eye whether born to a high society position or transported by fame in the movie industry. It sheds a spotlight on their lives and the targets they become and what they must deal with as a result. Their lives are in a fishbowl. Many know this when they enter or are born into such a position but it does not make it any easier. It is simple to see the source of their fears, the acts that subject them to humiliation, the worries of being discovered when they are trying to protect their identities, the endless violation of privacy and the effects of being framed by jealous competitors.

This novel shows the good and bad side of the media. We see the reputable sorts who want to deliver real journalism to uncover the truth and make a difference (as Zack does). Then there are those who are just sensationalist delivering gossip and false information to the tabloids to sell papers and appeal to the baser side of society.

There is also an enemies-to-lovers-theme with Bailey and the handsome persistent journalist Zack (who tries to unlock all the mysteries and uncover the truth within the many events and subplots). And there’s the reverse of lovers to enemies with Bailey and Declan. I found Bailey and Zack’s initial and changing relationship quite plausible, along with the various twists and turns in their involvement in obtaining justice once guarded secrets are revealed. Their actions and reactions to each other in the circumstances were understandable. I thought they made a good couple once they got past their issues and became transparent with each other.

All key characters were well delivered and it was good to see them work through their dilemmas and find healing, restoration and to receive their second chances. There are a number of relationships in this novel, not only romantic ones but also those of family members—such as between siblings and parents and their grown children. I loved that unions and reunions were possible and that real change happened in their hearts.

I enjoyed A Scottish Highland Hideaway by Julie Shackman and feel it is a wonderful novel that appeals to the desire in us for happy endings. It shows us the gritty facts of all types of relationships, the consequences of our actions and reactions whether coming from ill intentions or well meaning. But it also teaches that out of those rough experiences good things can come. I am reminded of author Nicole Reed’s words in Ruining You. “Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the most wonderful things that will ever happen to us.” This thought is also an ancient scriptural belief. And is boldly demonstrated in Julie’s beautiful novel. A definite must read in my opinion! 5 Happy Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for a review copy.