A Highlander in a Pickup is the second book in award-winning author Laura Trentham’s romantic comedy Highland Georgia series, full of love, laughs…and highlanders! When a gorgeous new man–in a kilt–comes to town, life in Highland, Georgia will never be the same… Iain Connors is the poster boy for the strong and silent type. Growing up a loner at Cairndow Castle in Scotland with only the … at Cairndow Castle in Scotland with only the cliffs and moors for company, it’s understood Iain will assume the mantle of Cairndow groundskeeper when his father is ready to relinquish it. But his stint in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces has opened up a whole new world–and now, rather than settle down, he accepts an invitation to travel to the States to take charge of the Highland Games. After all, he’s led men into battle, how hard can planning a party be?
Anna Maitland is ready to step up for her best friend Isabel Blackmoor, who can’t run the Games in their hometown this year. Surely Anna, a dance instructor with boundless energy, spirit, and charm, is up for the challenge? What she doesn’t anticipate is a man in a kilt who turns up claiming he’s the one in charge. What’s worse about this Iain? He’s so infuriatingly handsome that she can’t help but fantasize about him whispering sweet-nothings in her ear in his rumbly, sexy brogue. . .
“Trentham never misses the mark when she takes aim at the heart.”–Night Owl Reviews
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It’s hard to not want to read a book with a title like this. I mean, A Highlander in a Pickup. Great title! It also works well with the series. It brings ties in two major points, one that he’s a highlander in an American highland town and that town is all southern.
In the second book in the Highland, Georgia series we have poor Anna trying to do everything on her own. This is one tightly strung woman. Not that it’s her fault. I think she has spent some much of her time feeling like a failure to her mother that she doesn’t know anymore when she’s doing a great job.
I really liked Anna but at times even for me, she is too much. The woman needs to learn to relax and smell the roses. She should follow Iain lead. Here’s a man that works hard but also knows when to take things easy.
He tries very hard to help Anna out but I will admit he does want to take over setting up the Highland games. I’m sure he feels like that because he was set to America to help that he should do it all, but that’s not how it is. Help is where people work together.
Eventually, they work together and pulled off great highland games. The sad part is that they still can’t seem to come together. Iain is off back home to work with his father and Anna is going back to her life the way it was.
At this time point, you want to smack them both upside the head.
Not to worry, they finally figure it all and life is wonderful…
I really enjoyed A Highlander in a Pickup. We got to visit again with some of the crazy town people that you just have to love, or not, and a get a better feeling for who those people are. As a whole a wonderful story that I enjoyed reading.
4.5 Stars
While I enjoyed the previous book in this series, I found this second book a leap above in every way.
Enemies-to-lovers trope-
Broody, shy, and all-around swoon-worthy Scottish hero-
Capable, but vulnerable heroine-
Slow-burn romance-
Shenanigans-
Kilts-
I can’t say enough about how much I loved Iain and his characterization. Loved him! Anna was darling and had some great moments, but Iain carried the story for me. Again, the story is centered around the Highland Games in Highland, Georgia where Anna is sharing preparation duties with Iain. They butt heads, only because Anna is reluctant to hand over any responsibility. As trust and respect builds, so does the sexy romance. Overall, a warm and witty romance with an exceptional hero.
Iain Connors is the poster boy for the strong and silent type. Growing up a loner at Cairndow Castle in Scotland with only the cliffs and moors for company, it’s understood Iain will assume the mantle of Cairndow groundskeeper when his father is ready to relinquish it. But his stint in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces has opened up a whole new world—and now, rather than settle down, he accepts an invitation to travel to the States to take charge of the Highland Games. Anna Maitland is ready to step up for her best friend Isabel Blackmoor, who can’t run the Games in their hometown this year as she’s pregnant. What she doesn’t anticipate is a man in a kilt who turns up claiming he’s the one in charge.
This is the second book in the series & can easily be read on its own. I loved both Iain & Anna & how their relationship developed. I found this to be a fun entertaining, heart warming read that left me with a smile on my face & I’m thrilled there will be another book in the series. A well written book with strong characters who are endearing & thoroughly likeable. I was drawn in from the start & engrossed until the end.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Generally I love this author’s work, but this one just didn’t do it for me. First, let me share what I liked. As always, the descriptions were vivid and enticing, and I love the small Georgia town, as well as the glimpses at Scotland.
I also love Iain’s character. Big muscular man, Scottish accent, AND a kilt? Yes please!!! He’s also an honorable man who takes his promises to his father seriously. He’s personable, kind and generous, and it takes no time for the people of Highlands, GA, to be eating out of his hand and seeking out his company. He’s great with animals, children, seniors, everybody really, and his huge heart holds a nice helping of compassion. This guy is the whole package, and I adore every cell of him!
Now to the things that didn’t work for me.
As much as I loved Ian’s character, I grew weary of being reminded he’s not “classically handsome.” Tell me a few times so I get it, but then leave this big-hearted hero’s physical characteristics to my imagination. Petty on my part? Possibly, but he also has a unique physical characteristic that’s not easily forgotten.
Next, Anna is a shrew. She’s antagonistic and quarrelsome through the majority of the book, and there just wasn’t enough of a convincing change to redeem her cantankerous character for me. It wouldn’t have been too difficult to make her endearing to me. She has some good qualities I would have liked to see more of those, but as she is, she never won me over.
And the last thing that absolutely, positively did not work for me is bringing politics into the story. It’s only a hint, but it’s a hint too much. I read to escape real life and don’t appreciate anything that even hints at what an author’s stance on today’s political scene may be when I’m reading a romance. We’re inundated with that stuff every day, so it would be nice if there was one place, just one place we could depend on being able to escape it. This is a deal breaker for me. I could have forgiven Anna’s character and left a more positive review, but I can’t get past the abrupt shove back into the real world during my escape.
So, you have my impression and can make a decision yourself about this book. If these things aren’t an issue for you or you can overlook them, you’ll certainly enjoy this book. Otherwise, I recommend you check out some other titles by this author rather than spending your time and money on this one.
A Highlander in a kilt romances a southern dance teacher!
Dance teacher Anna Maitland has a lot on her hands trying to finish up the planning for the Highland, Georgia Festival and deciding if she wants to run for mayor in the next election when Iain Connors in a kilt shows up in town. Iain had done lots of stuff in the Army and since his dad wasn’t ready to retire as gamekeeper at Cairndow, Scotland, he volunteered to help finish the planning for the festival. Nobody had prepared Anna for Iain helping even though Iain thought he should be in charge and those are famous last words for both of them.
I loved A Highlander in a Pickup because the love story between Anna and Iain is cute and a bit funny with everything and I especially love all of the bits and pieces about people in the town and Iain having to decide if Anna was worth moving to America for.
A Highlander in a Pickup by Laura Trentham is the second book in the Highland, Georgia series and I want to read the next book about Holt Pierson.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s Kilt vs. Tutu as the next Highland Festival gets underway!
Anna, the local dance teacher, is tasked with organizing this year’s Festival while her best friend, Izzy, recently married and now living in Scotland, is expecting her first baby any day now. She sends her husband’s best friend, Iain, an authentic Highlander in every sense of the word, to help Anna pull together the annual festival.
Iain needs a change of scenery before he commits to following his father’s footsteps in Scotland, so he welcomes the chance to experience the Highlands through the eyes of the small town in Georgia. Learning to deal with the July heat and humidity isn’t the worst of his problems, as he’s consistently rebuffed by the infuriatingly gorgeous Anna, who is determined to show she doesn’t need anyone’s help with anything.
This story was an absolute delight to read from start to finish. Iain is a swoon-worthy Highlander, to be sure, but he’s also just a regular bloke who’s trying to balance his duty and his happiness. Anna is the perfect Southern Belle, all steel and sweet tea in equal measures. Their flirtatious working relationship rang true throughout, and the gradual growth of their romantic connection was perfectly paced.
My favorite part was the way the author infused the story with the poetry of Robert Burns. From providing words for Iain to express his feelings to the inspired new holiday event introduced in the epilogue, heartfelt tribute is paid to Scotland’s national poet. After the charming HEA, we’re treated to an intriguing introduction to the next book in this series. I was hooked right from the first book and loved this one even more. I highly recommend this series for all romance readers. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Another fun romp from Trentham. Second in series centered around a small town in Georgia and their yearly Scottish festival.
I especially loved the Highlander in the Pickup (or Ian), a big, good-hearted bloke who travels from Scotland to assist Anna, the town’s dance instructor, in organizing the festivities. Both characters had self-confidence issues to overcome and similar abandonment stories from their childhoods.
Trentham writes funny, sexy books featuring engaging characters working through life’s curves.
Looking forward to the third installment!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
I like this 2nd in the series even more than “A Highlander Walks into a Bar”! And I definitely will add the next one to my MUST READ list. A sweet HEA with touches of sorrow but not enough to bring the story down. And always nice to see lovers overcome obstacles.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Iain Connors is rather shy and not great with words, in part due to his unconventional and largely solitary upbringing on the grounds of a Scottish castle. Now that his service in Her Majesty’s Army is over, Iain wants to explore his options and decide what to do with his life, even though it is understood by his family and friends that he’ll take over his father’s position as groundskeeper at Cairndow Castle upon his retirement. But Iain isn’t quite ready to settle into that routine so when his friend asks him to go to Georgia, USA, to help plan a Highland festival, Iain accepts, sure it can’t be more difficult than leading men in the army.
Energetic dance instructor Anna Maitland is happy to step in and plan the Highland Festival that is a tradition in her hometown. She’s used to wrangling children so how hard could it be? She’s just not expecting the handsome highlander who shows up to take charge. Even worse, the man is undeniably attractive and Anna is not willing to relinquish control of the planning to him, even if she could use some help, and she certainly isn’t planning to explore her attraction to him. After all, he’s leaving soon, so there would be no point in exploring any connection that might exist between them.
I liked Anna’s character in the previous book and was excited for her story, but her insecurities and fear that everyone will leave her, while understandable, manifested in her being ridiculously judgmental of and unnecessarily hateful and demeaning to Iain. Multiple times when he is being nice to her she’s deliberately catty by willfully misinterpreting his words. She may be insecure, but she’s popular and familiar enough with men to know the difference, especially after she learns that Iain isn’t good with words. I think everyone has the desire to protect themselves from hurt, but much of Anna’s behavior and dialogue was just immature and made me dislike her. By the time she started acting like she had some sense, it was a bit late for me to really like her. Iain was charming in his gruff awkwardness, but he also made some questionable decisions that took that awkwardness perhaps too far, although he did make up for it.
As with the previous book, there were some supposed southernisms that didn’t ring true for me as a southerner myself, but perhaps things are different in the deeper south. Overall, I enjoyed this story and will continue with this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A Highlander in a Pickup
A Highland, Georgia Series #2
Laura Trentham
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham/
Release date 02/25/2020
Publisher St Martin’s Paperback
Blurb :
When a gorgeous new man—in a kilt—comes to town, life in Highland, Georgia will never be the same…
Iain Connors is the poster boy for the strong and silent type. Growing up a loner at Cairndow Castle in Scotland with only the cliffs and moors for company, it’s understood Iain will assume the mantle of Cairndow groundskeeper when his father is ready to relinquish it. But his stint in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces has opened up a whole new world—and now, rather than settle down, he accepts an invitation to travel to the States to take charge of the Highland Games. After all, he’s led men into battle, how hard can planning a party be?
Anna Maitland is ready to step up for her best friend Isabel Blackmoor, who can’t run the Games in their hometown this year. Surely Anna, a dance instructor with boundless energy, spirit, and charm, is up for the challenge? What she doesn’t anticipate is a man in a kilt who turns up claiming he’s the one in charge. What’s worse about this Iain? He’s so infuriatingly handsome that she can’t help but fantasize about him whispering sweet-nothings in her ear in his rumbly, sexy brogue. .
My review :
I am mostly a reader of historical romance, and Mrs Laura Trentham writes historical romances, so explainer why my first read by her is a contemporary one’s.
Despite its being a romcom, with the Highland vibes, it has an undertone of a historical with the life Iain lived and his honor bound way to fulfill his promise.
I loved him, he is such a great and good man, maybe at first awkward but he becomes with ease a much sought after resident, and well respected which is well earned. He is kind and considerate, never the one to overstep. Why I was not very fond of Anna, by her rebuff and rejection of his help, she often hurt him.
For all his size, he is also a very unsure man, seing himself more as an oddity than a confident specimen.
Still, even after the many nays Anna tells him, he is there to step in if she needs be.
Anna lets her own insecurities take the path on everything else, but it gives her no right to be mean with Iain when he is here to help. She is so focused, she sees everyone as an opponent, when working hand in hand could have lifted a lot stress off her shoulders.
Because of her father’s desertion, she spent her life running away, always the one to break up because better hurt than be hurt.
Iain shakes everything she made herself believe, he is no player, he stands for her, assists her and never undermines her own work.
But their time together has a deadline so what after. I understand with a limited time, difficult to project oneself in the future and with her past history, it is worse.
I loved the final twist, as I was quite upset with Iain’s choice.
This is a cute tale of finding one’s place and purpose, 4 stars.
I received an advance copy through Edelweiss. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/561872427735266/?d=n
Another novel set in the charming small town of Highland, Georgia. Centering around the annual Highland Games, this book introduces you to more great characters, both residents of Highland and another a new handsome Scotsman in a kilt.
Ms. Trentham weaves a wonderful story mingling Scottish tradition and small town charm. Of course, there is a romance brewing.
Anna Maitland is content with her life as a dance teacher in Highland. Her dream was to make it big as a professional dancer in New York, but she was not happy there and she returned home to Highland. Now she enjoys spending her days teaching girls from toddlers to teens the art of dance.
Anna has agreed to take on the job of planning the annual Highland Games in the absence of her friends, Isabel and Alasdair Blackmoor who have returned to Alasdair’s home in Scotland to await the birth of their first child. Anna is confident that she can handle the job, but Isabel and Alasdair send help in the form of handsome Scotsman, Iain Connors. The meeting between Anna and Iain had me laughing out loud.
I really enjoyed this visit to Highland, Georgia and look forward to the next one.
I won this ARC and is the second book in the series. It can be read as a standalone, but probably helpful to read the first book. I had not and felt I would of enjoyed getting to know the previous characters more.
I did enjoy this book. The hero Iain was easy to fall in love with, but Anna took much longer. Looking forward to Holt’s story. Really liked the town of Highland, GA and wished I knew of one like it.
So I hope you read the first book in this series (A Highlander walks into a bar) which in it we met Anna one of the main characters in this one and I had liked her in the last book, in this one not as much. Anna was incharge of the Highland games that her bestie Ivy and her mother Rose always held yearly, it was something that the town really looked forward to and helped the economy. Anna did not want to mess up for a multitude of reasons one of them being that her bestie Ivy was having a baby and could not be there for it since she was having some complications which was another reason that Rose couldn’t be there. Since it is so much work they sent Iain who was Alistair friend from Scotland, Anna was not very nice to him, actually she was a little to stubborn. After realizing what Ivy was going thru she didn’t want to cause her any worry so she sucked it up and gave him a chance, and succumbed to her feelings for him. Everything was great until he had to leave, and he could never leave Scotland and she couldn’t leave her school. What happens well grab a copy and Enjoy! I have to say I was really happy that Holt is getting a book!!
Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP (Highland Georgia #2) By Laura Trentham
This is the first book by Laura that I have read, and I did not realize at the time it is the second in the series. While Izzy and Alastair are awaiting the birth of their first child in Scotland, Anna has been left to organize the Scottish festival for their town, run her dance studio, and she is considering running for mayor as well. Izzy and her mom Rose are the ones usually in charge of the festival. Rose is in Scotland awaiting the birth of her grandchild.
Iain is just returned from a military deployment and is a very likable,Scotsman who has been sent by Alastair to help Anna with the festival. She is so worried about everyone thinking she can’t handle things that she is busy pushing him away. This solid story has entertaining banter, angst, and chemistry. This is a 4 star read.
**I received a copy of A Highlander in a Pickup from St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions below are mine and not solicited in any way**
A Highlander in a Pickup by Laura Tentham is the second book of her Highland, GA series and while this was a good book I really loved the first book a little more. With that being said Iain and Anna’s story was completely worthy of 4 Stars. The love story was a slow build between a loner and a dance studio owner who wants badly to prove that she can handle the highlander games.
Anna Maitland wants to prove to the town and herself that she can plan the Highland games but when Iain Connors is sent from Cairndow Castle she puts him in charge of Ozzie (sheep) and Harriet (cow). But when she comes down sick she’ll have to delegate to Iain some of the planning. She’s trying to prove that even though she couldn’t make it in the big city, Anna’s dance studio is successful and if she can convince Iain that he’ll be a able to learn how to waltz in time for the whiskey tasting dinner and dance. But can she protect her heart from falling for the handsome Scotsman?
The quiet kilt wearing Scotsman Iain who’s felt lost since leaving the British Army will soon find a niche in Highland as a carpenter, utility kilt designer, guitar playing and festival planner. But will Anna and Iain find love with each other especially when they are reunited at Izzy and Alasdair’s daughter, Annie, christening will Iain convince Anna that he loves her and is willing to leave Scotland or will they go their separate ways?
I loved the humor in this book. Iian and Anna were cute together and Anna was not immune to wanting to find out the age old question as to what the man wore under his kilt. The funniest part for me was when Anna fell onto the ground and Iian unintentionally gave her two eyes full as he knelt in front of her to see if she was okay. Imagine the unexpected view!
The funny and the hot of the story (and the animals) all worked together to create a hilarious and delightful HEA!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating: 3 – 3.5 stars
Having enjoyed the first book, I reluctantly have to admit this book wasn’t nearly as good. In fact, I’m tempted to label it as a filler book meant just to keep the series going. You see, this main couple just wasn’t that particularly noteworthy. Maybe it was because I’m not a fan of a sugary sweet, insecure, “woo is me/no one understands me/mama didn’t love me enough” stubborn to the point she can be her own worst enemy so at times came across childish, even selfish on occasion heroine. Yeah, that’s a mouthful, huh.
As far as the handsome hero, he seemed like a patient, all around good guy but mostly we get the idea he looked verra, verra good in a kilt. Why do I think that you ask? Well, because we were told about a million times. Oh, and he was good with his hands, a real Mr. Fixer/jack of all trades, plus on the awkward/easily embarrassed side, as well.
A word to the wise though. If you want me to pick up a contemporary highlander romantic read and stay fully engaged, I need more, folks. This panned out to be an okay, but rather average, not that memorable/exciting read for me. Here’s to hoping others really enjoy it as much as I liked the first book.
Title: Highlander in a Pick Up, Series: A HIghland, Georgia Novel (Book 2), Author: Laura Trentham, Pages: 320, stand-alone but part of a series, patient/good guy hero, not a manho, both been celibate awhile, gorgeous but feels awkward, bashful at times hero, sugary sweet, small town dance instructor heroine. Rating: 3 – 3.5 stars
Book 1 – A Highlander Walks Into a Bar
Book 2 – Highlander in a Pick Up
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)