On the wild dunes of a Scottish Isle, mistletoe and mischief are the best way to heat up a holiday best shared by two . . . The wind-whipped December sea air of the isle of Kinloch invigorates Kira MacLeod as she sets out to tame rugged Shay Callaghan. The Scottish bachelor may be as wary of a wedding ring as a snowman is of the hot sun, but it’s no secret how he looks at her—as if she were the … at her—as if she were the only woman in the world. Now, with the encouragement of the canny islanders, and watching two of their best friends tie the knot in a romantic winter wedding, Kira will ignite Shay’s heart—and weave the perfect Celtic Christmas to say aye do . . .
Originally published in Unwrapped
Praise for Donna Kauffman
“Charming characters, emotion galore, a small town—you’re going to love Donna Kauffman!” —Lori Foster
“We all know where there’s Donna Kauffman, there’s a rollicking, sexy read chock‑full of charm and sparkle.” —USAToday.com
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First, I loved this series and I couldn’t wait to read Shay Callaghan’s and Kira MacLeod’s story. It’s a standalone however it was so much more fun having met all the characters in previous books but you can read it alone.
What I can tell you about these characters is that both Shay and Kira are wearing faces of…joy however deep down, they are hurting and suffering from their own demons, but the world never knows. Overly simplistic explanation but their story, leading to an HEA, is so touching and loving that I felt as if I was there watching every step of the way. I loved both characters. Kira is strong, independent – sometimes to a fault! – and is absolutely gorgeous. She doesn’t believe in herself, in her own worth, her beauty, but reading how she works thru her issues, I felt joy and peace. And Shay…sigh. He is a poster boy for self-recrimination. But the author portrays him in such a way that you cannot help but feel for him, even when he is being a “boy”, stuck in his own head.
When he finally opens himself to Kira, and Kira trusts in her feelings for Shay, their love story gave me the warmest feeling that I’ve had in a long time. There was snark, there was wit, there was a great back story in this book. Loved Shay and Kira and it was fun to revisit with the rest of the friends. Wish I could visit them in their home in Scotland.
Pretty Poignant Scottish Romance
I enjoyed this lighter, fast read very much. It had a wealth of understanding between Shay and Kira, as they navigated their feelings quite openly and honestly, considering they jumped in with both feet, rather rapidly, to the chemistry that was tired of being denied. I think soul mate was represented very well here, the heart just knows, often times what the mind is slow to catch on to.
I didn’t feel the depth I would’ve liked, though I truly enjoyed the story, it did seem the HEA was here before I was ready to leave this journey.
A sweet fun story of finding love when you least expect it. Shay is a divorce attorney and does not believe in the happily ever after but when he meets Kira, recently divorced there is no denying the chemistry that they share.
The story takes place on a Scottish Isle, loved the scenery and the dialogue, the author makes you feel like you are right there. Great chemistry between Kira and Shay, loved their humor and banter.
This is a short story that was previously published, thoroughly enjoyed.
Santa in a Kilt by Donna Kauffman is a wonderful holiday story about love, life, and not being afraid to reach for your own true happiness.
Even though divorce lawyer Shay Callaghan witnessed the “glorious best” of marriage with his friends’ relationships in Kinloch, dealing with his clients made him decide marriage wasn’t for him. His longstanding attraction to Kira MacLeod rocks his convictions.
“Kira MacLeod was absolutely a forever and always kind of woman. She deserved no less..and so very much more.”
Kira had dealt with the aftermath of her divorce and is done standing on the sidelines. She’s ready to go after the man she wants, and Shay doesn’t stand a chance.
“She wove her fingers into his hair and turned his mouth back to hers…and never once, in his entire life, had he had such a pure sense of what is was to finally come home.”
The story is heartfelt and filled with steamy romance, and you will love how Shay sends a liveried servant to Kira with a special invitation to his home and his life. Another great read from Donna Kauffman!
This was a fun story about Shay who is a divorce attorney and opposed to marriage because he has seen the devastation it can cause to one’s heart. Kira has been divorced but isn’t about to give up on the possibility of true love. They both live on the island of Kinloch and have mutual friends who are happily married. Immediately after the wedding of two of those friends, Shay and Kira take a chance on each other. They both agree to nothing serious, just fun but as time goes on is that distance even possible because the heart has a mind of its own?
This story was a quick read and I liked the story very much but didn’t enjoy reading the detailed sex scenes. I don’t care to know the details of one’s sex life.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Shay doesn’t believe in happily ever after.and intends to remain a bachelor forever. The weird thing is he came from a town where no one ever gets divorced and marriage is a blissful state to behold. Kira wants the right man in her life and after her last experience with a man she plans on find the perfect one for her this time. When the two run into each other at a friend’s wedding sparks fly and the two can’t seem to walk away from each other. Shay soon learns that he can’t turn off his feelings, he doesn’t want to hurt Kira but he also isn’t sure he can be happy in a relationship. Kira knows that Shay is the man for her but can she show him that it’s okay to fall in love and be in a partnership. Follow along as the two work at finding where they each for into one another’s lives and whether they can make it work. This was a great holiday read that will get you in the mood for romance and the coming holiday season!
Santa in a Kilt by Donna Kauffman
Big smile…yep…this story put a smile on my face just like it put one on the characters in this book! Shay Callaghan, divorce attorney, is a bit leery of happily ever afters due to his mother leaving when he was small and also due to what he has seen while helping clients dissolve marriages. That doesn’t stop him from gazing on lovely Kira MacLeod in a way that has his mates knowing, perhaps before he does, that he is soon going to be hitched like they are if he ever steps up and does more than gaze at the woman who holds his interest. Kira, a weaver, has had a rough divorce to contend with but is ready to embrace life and hopes that life will also embrace Shay. My, this was a delight to read in oh so many ways! I loved Kira’s openness and warm spirit. I loved Shay and found him quite the book boyfriend. Sure, he was worried about breakups before really even in a relationship but boy oh boy was he sizzling male! The two of them together were perfect! I don’t believe I read the first two books in this series but that made no difference at all in being able to thoroughly enjoying this story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.
5 Stars
Santa In A Kilt is a fantastic read that keeps you reading until you finish. I couldn’t put it down!
This is a very cute and short story that will leave you smiling! I found these characters to be so enjoyable, relatable and realistic.
If you love stories about two characters who have trouble pasts and need each other to break down the walls they worked so hard to build, this is definitely the story for you!
Shay Callaghan has no interest in ever getting married. Being a divorce lawyer he sees too many marriages end in bad blood. The problem is is that he cannot quit thinking about Kira MacLeod. Shay always thought his friend, Roan had his eyes on Kira but when his friend gets married he realizes that he may need to make his move on Kira.
Kira has always been attracted to Shay and now that she is divorced and back in town, she has decided that she is setting her sights on Shay and Roan’s wedding might be the best place to start.
As these two spend more time together they quickly realize that these lost souls belong together and before you know it, they are getting their happy ending. This was a fun, quick novella that takes place during the Christmas season with wonderful characters and a fun story line.
This is a very moving story. Shay and Kira both have some serious hurts in their pasts. They have several emotional conversations about what trying to have a relationship will mean for them. We get to delve into their hearts and feel their feelings. And then we get the happy ending!
A fun and challenging romance. My favorite part was about the basket weaving. Not a fan of details behind the bedroom door. Also found the Scottish dialect words to be a slight issue. Slows down this speed reader. Ha! Entertaining short story. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.
Good story. Shay is a lawyer who specializes in divorce cases. As a result he sees the worst of what can happen to a relationship and has sworn that he will not succumb to one himself. The difficulty is that he has been attracted to Kira for awhile and knows that she isn’t the fling type of woman. When the attraction becomes mutual and overwhelming Shay’s thoughts begin to contemplate the future but he is still scared of what could happen. I loved Kira’s acceptance of his feelings and the way she was able to wait so patiently for him to come to terms with his love for her and what it means to him.
I do not normally read to much holiday before its time but this author and one other have caught my attention early in it. Whom would not want to eyeball a Santa in a kilt? I know that would be some scrumptious eye candy. This weaves its magic with using Kira and Shay as their tale unfolds before us causing us to rapidly turn the pages. Romance at its finest is set between these pages giving us holiday magic and bits of humor. also. Chemistry will bubble leading to fun trouble causing even the most stubborn to go down, haha! You will be ready for more treats by the time you finish this one leaving you with the best of tingles.
Shay and Kira’s story in Santa in a Kilt by Donna Kauffman is a wonderful and sweet story of two people wary of love and marriage. Shay is a divorce lawyer and sees relationships mainly after they have fallen apart. Kira returned to the isle of Kinloch after the end of her marriage, putting all of her energy into to her weaving projects. Although Shay is wary of marriage, it’s no secret how he looks at Kira; as if she were the only woman in the world. These two are totally attracted and the electricity between them could light all the homes on their island. Between witnessing two of their best friends marry during a romantic winter wedding and with the encouragement of islanders, Kira will definitely ignite Shay’s heart and weave the perfect path for him to trust her and her love.
Ms. Kauffman, a talented story teller, wrote a joyful, funny, tender sweet, and heartwarming tale that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, and amazing characters giving Shay and Kira a chance for happiness, love and a future together. I highly recommend Santa in a Kilt to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Good book but not exactly what I was expecting. For some reason because of the title I expected it to be a romantic comedy. It wasnt dark but it wasnt light either. Good book but just know going in its not a comedy. The ending was just right!
Shay Callaghan is a divorce solicitor in Edinburgh, but lives part-time on Kinloch. Never having had a loving home, it’s hard for him to open his heart to the one woman he wants, The sexual attraction brings Kira and Shay together, he’s still afraid he can never commit for the rest of his life. A short contemporary romance about taking chances.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
This was a lovely quick read on a dreary raining afternoon! I’ve really been enjoying reading Christmas stories and this one was a delightful one.
Kira and Shay are finally a couple but not without issues. Shay is a divorce lawyer and because he’s seen so much heartbreak, he refuses to let himself love and settle down. Kira, even though she’s gone through a divorce, is ready to love again but knows how Shay feels about that so she’s careful not to push him too hard. I loved how open they were with each other and how they were able to work out their problems and my heart smiled when Shay finally realized that Kira was THE one:)
I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Santa in a Kilt (Kindle Edition) by Donna Kauffman Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. This is a cute romance between Kira (divorced and starting over) and Shay (a divorce lawyer who doesn’t believe in HEA) The is some angst, laughs, tears, visits with friends from other stories and lots of steam all leading to a HEA.
Santa in a Kilt, by author Donna Kauffman, is set on the windswept isle of Kinloch, off the Scottish coastline. Roan McCauley, Graham MacLeod, and Shay Callaghan had grown up on the island. Now grown, they are all in attendance at Roan’s wedding. Graham is already married and Shay is never planning to take that road. But the best plans often go awry. And often plans turn into dreams come true.
This is a delightful story with fun characters and a lovely message. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it.