Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Layla's fiancee has passed away and she's determined to leave her beloved childhood home in order to move on with her life. But maybe, just maybe, she doesn't have to move away to move on.

An easy enjoyable read with a cast of interesting and likeable characters.

That said, I did find the ending a little strange!

This book annoyed me for quite a few chapters, I have never read this author before and whilst her writing is very easy to read it seem a little too simple and predictable from the outset. It improved as I moved through the chapters but it is still predictable. I got the feeling that everything was thrown at us in the first few chapters with no anticipation . It came across to me like a child wanting to know all the detail straight away and been given and then it disappointment.
I have read other reviews on this author and would like to try one of her other books to see how it compares.

A Secret Scottish Escape is an enjoyable read that transports you to the Scottish highlands. When Layla’s fiancé dies suddenly, she’s determined to pack up, leave Loch Harris and start again somewhere new. But an unexpected o heritable causes her to rethink her plans. She decides to open a live music venue and if the rumours are correct, she’s going to try and persuade the famous reclusive singer ‘Mask’ who has moved into Coorie Cottage to perform live on opening night.

This is a pleasant read that I would rate 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

I received this book as an advance reader copy from net galley. I love all books set in Scotland, especially the Scottish highlands. This is a feel good small-town novel revolving around character and setting. A quick read that is highly recommended.

When Kayla's fiance dies unexpectedly, she doesn't think she will be able to carry on living in Loch Harris. When she receives and unexpected inheritance, Layla decides to build a music venue in the hope to revive tourism to the loch.
Along with the arrival of a mysterious musician, Layla starts to rebuild her life.

I really enjoyed this book, however the long winded description on every sentence became very annoying. Sometimes you can just write, Layla pulled up outside and got out of the car, instead of, as Layla pulled up outside on the crunchy gravel, she put her coat on, picked her mobile up and put it in her black leather bag before opening the door and placing two feet on the ground!

I fell in love with this book from the stunning cover and it captured my heart and didnt let go.

It starts out very sad with Layla losing her fiancee and her learning of his betrayals but the book turns around and is just beautifully written.

I could picture the surroundings and it felt like I was there with the characters.

Beautiful story with a beautiful cover. A new author for me and I cant wait to read more of her books.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

I quite enjoyed reading this book, although I did get irritated at the local Scottish food containing items that had nothing to do with Scotland and had definitely not grown there, nor were traditional there! For me, that knocked off a star, just for the annoyance factor. Until that point, I thought that the author was doing a fairly decent job of representing Scotland.
The plot was fine, although it did seem to try to cram a lot in, and the resolution was good, although I did wonder why you would take all that trouble to set up a new business and then do what she did. The writing was good, and did manage to get the reader fairly invested in the story.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book.

Freelance writer, Layla, whose whole life has been living in Loch Harris. Not once the thought cone into her mind to leave. That is until her Fiancé dies, when he’s with his ex-wife in her arms.

Now, she doesn’t want to live in the cottage and want to leave. But, then, she sees a potential to start a a live music venue in the town. She wants to bring people back to her hometown of Loch Harris.

So, then, she begins to design The Conch Club. Then there’s a rumour going round that the famous reclusive singer ‘Mask’ is living in Coorie Cottage which he’s bought. Layla wants him to perform on her opening night.

But there’s questions in her mind like - Why is ‘Mask’ being so reclusive? Why is Layla’s Mum suddenly deciding that now would be a good time to reveal, hoping what could be, one big family secret? Also, is there any truth to the accusations being made about ‘Mask’ from a woman whose come from Australia?

She has to deal with all of this. Will all these answers to her questions change her when she’s ready to open her club?

Layla is determined to have the Mask headline at the opening night of her music venue, but was is his secret, and why does he always wear the mask? An enjoyable read, a bit predicatable but good to curl up with on a rainy afternoon.

This book does exactly what it sets out to do, it's heartwarming and feel good.

Often books set in Scotland really annoy me as they are just stereotypes and awful attempts at accents. But this book felt really believable and authentic to where it was set.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Julie Shackman for a free e-ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This was such a cute book! I love the Scottish setting and the characters are so fun. Highly recommend to others for a sweet and quick read. Love it!

I received the ARC of this ebook via NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter.

The book started off as a story of Layla, a woman who was not only facing the death of her partner but his ultimate betrayal. It has a lovely setting beside a Loch in Scotland. I wanted to stroll along the loch and shop on the little village shops.

Layla’s father is an important part of her life and his inclusion made for a great side story. The book continues along as a beautiful and heartwarming story of love, friendship and new beginnings until about 75%. At this point the romance angle turns into a dark story with a psychological aspect. This is totally strange, unneeded and misplaced. It is like a new author stepped in to write a chapter. I found that the story didn’t recover after this point. It turned back into a typical romance but the weird turn put me off and I just wanted to be done with the book.

After the death of her fiancée, Layla is determined to move on and turn her inheritance into something beautiful that everyone can enjoy. This comes in the form of a new music venue. Enter a mysterious handsome musician and a lot of intrigue.

A nice read for a Sunday afternoon.

A Secret Scottish Escape is a delightful story that has a fair share of ups and downs. As the synopsis explains, the story opens with the death of Mack, Layla’s fiancée. To discover that he died in the arms of another woman is a sensation that I could, thankfully, only imagine.
Layla’s relationship with her Dad and with her best friend, provide all the family support that she needs. This is a good thing, as her mother is a toxic force who seems to delight in bringing heartache to her estranged family.
The plans to bring a new music venue, to Loch Harris, intrigue over a celebrity arriving in town, a strange Australian woman making wild accusations, and the drama surrounding reuniting her father with his former bandmates, make for a busy storyline. The plot moves along at a satisfying pace and, thankfully, all the loose ends are taken care of by the closing chapters. Layla even manages a touch of matchmaking!
For me, the standout relationship would have to be between Layla and her father. They are very close and it’s clear that they have weathered a few storms together, which have brought them closer than a simple parent/child connection.
Loch Harris sounds like an idyllic spot and I enjoyed escaping to the silvery shores.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot (there are already plenty of reviews like that out there if that's what you are looking for), but here are my thoughts on the book.

Layla (our heroine) is a determined young lady who has to deal with multiple betrayals, heartbreak, and various other setbacks, but who has the determination to make the best out of things and move forward from a terrible situation. The interplay between Layla and her musician Dad is lovely, and in turn the interplay between Dad and his old band is very believable. There are a couple of good baddies, a mysterious hero, and a good supporting cast of characters too.

The setting sounds gorgeous, very well described, and I'd love to visit Layla's venue!

I'd be interested in reading more adventures featuring these characters, as I feel they have more to say!

This is recommended if you are looking for a light read with a mysterious twist, a touch of romance, and a cast of interesting characters.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

This book was well written. The descriptions of everything, perfection. However these great descriptions came at the expense of character development and a sensible plot.
I felt like the author wanted to write 8 different books but decided to just smoosh them all into 200 something pages. Tbh, I’m not even sure what genre this book is supposed to be. It’s.... a lot.
The ending was really great, I love a good happy ending.

What a horrible shock for Layla, thinking that life was going along smoothly, to find that her fiance dies not only suddenly...but in the arms of another woman.
Her focus turns to music and with an inheritance she is determined to set up a centre where bands can play. Enter the reclusive, and rather impatient 'Mask', a singer . I have to say that he didn't come across as sympathetic or even with much character.
It's a pleasant book, with nice descriptions of places and people. Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

When Layla gets the terrible news her fiancé has died her life turns upside down! What she thought was an honest relationship had been built on lies. When she decides to invest in the local village she needs the help of her beloved Dad and her best friend, Faith, and a mysterious musician.
This was genuinely a lovely read. Plenty of giggles and romance and definitely an author I would read more of. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of A Secret Scottish Escape by Julie Shackman

What is it about?

When Layla’s older partner Mac dies suddenly, she’s shocked to find he has left her an inheritance. After some agonising, she decides to open a music venue in the idyllic Loch Harris. For the opening night, her father and his old friends reform their band, unearthing some skeletons from the past. Layla also tries to get the reclusive musician Mask to play. When he refuses, she becomes intrigued by him and is determined to find out why he is hiding away in her small town. Could this lead to a second chance at love for Layla?

What I liked:

I found the beginning to be quite fast and hooked me into the story. I liked the idea of Layla being able to achieve her dreams via the inheritance. I presumed that her love of music came from her father. The mystery element worked well and later on in the book, I found myself wanting to keep turning the pages to uncover Mask’s past. Layla’s determination to get to the truth in my mind came from her career in journalism. The romance happened quickly, though there was a sweet ending to the story.

Would I recommend it?

Yes, there were some enjoyable themes, such as forgiveness and second chance at love and life. It worked well as an escapist read. Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter Books for this ARC, that I received in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this four out of five stars.

A lovely story of how Layla’s life feels like it is falling apart due to the circumstances of her fiancé’s death. However with him leaving her a lot of money she decides after a lot of soul searching and the support from her dad and best friend. To fulfill a dream of hers to open a live music lounge. Lots of twists and turns happen in the run up to the opening even meeting an upcoming new artist named ‘Mask’. Loved it.