This was a truly wonderful read. This was heart breaking at times seeing dreams being crushed and having been forced into a career she never wanted it was lovely to see how the story unfolded. The setting was lovely which made for a great backdrop to the story. A beautifully written story which gladdens the heart.

The most beautiful story I had tears, laughter and a warm happy feeling at different points and yet never wanted the story to end. I became so invested

Thank you to NetGalley and to Boldwood Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Oh how I loved this one!! Boldwood Books is truly doing something right with all of these hits and this one was one of the best (and they've all been great!)!

The Scottish Highlands - could there be a more perfect setting? It was utterly enchanting; the descriptions were impressive and it was easy to imagine being there - the read was so easy and so inspiring at the same time.

Esme is a dreamer, but is that enough? Judd is wonderful and the interactions between he and Esme gave me butterflies and I was smiling SO hard. Betty however is the heart stealer - I'm a firm believer that a book gets better with a dog and Betty was a wonderful example of why I am right! The humor felt like a light breath of fresh air - it was nothing over the top, it went with the sweet and tender romance,.

Overall this book gave me such a break. Such a reprieve from life - I was rather sad when it ended because it was truly a much needed and magical read. Will be reading more from Lisa Hobman as this book was just utterly fantastic.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a lovely book. It was cozy and heartwarming and absolutely delightful!

What a great read! I Love Lisa's books and this one has been her best to date. Beautiful place to set a book and has lovely characters.

Shooting Stars over the Highlands by Lisa Hobman is a cosy, mostly upbeat read that captures the charm of the Scottish Highlands with the warmth of a Hallmark movie—only better, because books always are. While the romance is light and there's a touch of heartbreak, the story focuses more on personal growth and emotional journeys. The writing is easy to digest, the pacing flows well, and it’s the perfect book to unwind with over a cup of tea. I especially enjoyed the familiar faces from the series and the comforting, feel-good atmosphere.

That said, the story can feel a little predictable at times, and the main character lacks some spark compared to others in the series. Still, there's something relatable in her journey—figuring life out in your twenties while navigating love, loss, and self-discovery. If you enjoy gentle, heart-warming stories with a Scottish setting and a side of introspection, this one is well worth the read. I’ll definitely be picking up the other standalones in the series.

Here we get to know Esme Cassidy who is the new PA of Lady Olivia MacBain.
We learn how Esme was travailing around after her graduation, met during this time an older man with whom she fell in love and how he ended things with her at the airport when she was going back to Scotland.
As her parents wanted her to get a decent job she is now working as PA and did not fallow her heart to start being an actress. Now that the filming at Drumblair Castle started she is seeing what she missed out and can´t believe her luck as her teenage crush is being part of the crew.


You can read this book as standalone but when you are aware of the former ones you know the castle crew as well as former things mentioned in this book.
I like the Highland feeling this series is very well showing.
Esme returned heartbroken back home and moved into her former childhood room. I like how she starts to find her own way by moving out and getting a grip on her live, accepting that her ex treated her back and it is time to move on.

I like that we meet all the characters again and see how their stories further unfold.
For me it was unnecessary to bring in the part that should show that Esme is really over her ex and the dramatic about this part (I don´t want to spoil hence I will not mention more here).
Otherwise it was for me very predictable.
We have misunderstandings, fake dating, ex who left their partner but then run out to be jealous, ...
All turns out well for Esme, her bigges dream to be an actress is not that far away any longer, ...

It was a nice read of a typical feel good romance.

Two dreams from childhood, put behind her now,
To be an actress and live in a castle somehow.
Instead she’s working as a PA and lots more
In that same castle with possibilities to explore.

With a film being made there, who’d think there’d be a chance,
To see what’s involved - including romance!
With her teenage crush in the starring role, too,
Just what should she devotion do?

A story where dreams may somehow come true,
Where friendship, and romance can help them pull through.
Such a fun read, with a great community,
And plenty of drama for all to see!

I really enjoyed this delightful read
I hope you agree it’s the next book you need!
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I received this ARC for an honest review. I struggled to make connections with the characters. I feel that the author could have spent more time developing the characters and their personalities as well as their relationships with each other. The plot of this book just fell flat and was not for me.

Pretty cute and mostly upbeat cozy story. Not really a lot of romance, includes some heart break too. I’ve enjoyed the characters from this series so far. The writing is easy to digest and the story moves at a good pace. Good for relaxing with tea.

I am thoroughly enjoying this series and it is always good to see how life is panning out for the inhabitants of the castle. Esme is the newcomer who is newly employed as Olivia's PA. You soon realise that she has got unfulfilled ambitions and a deep yearning to act and to perform. Her parents, particularly her mother, have encouraged her to out aside those ambitions and to find herself a 'safe' job. Living back at home following a heartbreaking end of a relationship, Esme finds herself feeling stifled and infantilized at home and looks to move out of her childhood home, to assert her independence.

There is quite a cast of characters who bring some humour and colour to life in the village. Both professional and amateur actors are rehearsing their productions and Esme finds herself involved with both. There is a gentle romance which runs through the story as Esme seems to have a range of choices available to her.

In short: family, friends and new romance

This is book 4 in The Highlands series and having already read the first 3, I was looking forward to this one.

It was lovely to catch up with the usual characters from Drumblair as well as getting to know the new ones. We had met Esme before and this book is predominantly her story.

She is such a likeable and relatable character and I felt for her trying to get back on her feet again. I loved the interactions between her and Judd as well as her and Zach. I knew who I wanted her to be with and hoped she'd chose the same

I love the Highland setting and I feel I know the castle now due to the author's descriptions.

This was such an uplifting read with lots of fun, drama, romance and great supporting characters, and don't forget the dogs. Definitely a series I would recommend and I hope there is more to come.

Thank you Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my gifted copy and spot on the blog tour.

This is a mcoe enough story if you like chicken lit romance but the main character is a bit boring g and I found the story a little predictable at times

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5

This is the fourth installment of The Highlands series by Lisa Hobman, but it can be read as a standalone without hindering the reader's enjoyment. The story revolves around Esme, who returns to her hometown to rebuild her life after a heartbreaking experience. She moves in with a male work colleague, and over time, romance begins to blossom between them.

The characters are well-developed, bringing out genuine emotions that make the story feel realistic. I particularly loved how Esme’s boss treats her employees with kindness and genuinely cares about their well-being. What I admire most about this story is that, unlike many cozy romances, it doesn’t immediately reveal who the endgame couple will be—keeping readers in suspense throughout the book.

This book is highly recommended for fans of emotional slow-burn romances, small-town settings, and stories about fresh starts, healing, and unexpected love.

A scottish book, sign me up. The perfection of a hallmark movie, but made better because the book always is. This book gave me all the feels of being 23 again and basically trying to figure myself out on top of everything else. I enjoyed it so much and felt so swept away in the journey. I will be going back to read the other stand alones in the series.

Shooting Stars over the Highlands is a cozy feel-good novel. It contains all the right ingredients for an escapist piece: the drama, the romance, the Hollywood glitz and the Scottish flair. The female lead is lovely and relatable. Overall, it's well paced, but could've done with some extra cutting in certain areas.
A good chick-lit read!

This is the first book I’ve read by Lisa Hobman, and it absolutely gave me all the warm and fuzzy feels. If you love Hallmark movies—the kind that sweep you away to a breathtaking setting, fill your heart with hope, and wrap you in a cozy blanket of charm—this book is for you. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Highlands (complete with a dreamy castle, of course!), this romance is the literary equivalent of a comforting cup of tea on a rainy day.

The plot is sweet and heartfelt, but definitely keeps the pages turning. The characters were endearing and easy to root for, and the setting added a whimsical, fairy-tale vibe that I adored. Overall, Shooting Stars Over the Highlands is a feel-good, comforting romance that will make you believe in serendipity. I’m so glad I picked this one up, and I’ll definitely be reading more from this author!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC of Shooting Stars Over the Highlands. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Lisa Hobman takes readers back to the Scottish Highlands for another story at Drumblair Castle, liberally sprinkled with humor and heart. It's been fun getting to know these characters, catching up with favorites in each new book while meeting new ones along the way.

Esme is such a relatable and engaging character. I enjoyed the way her story unfolded as she moved forward on her journey to independence, both in her personal and professional lives. Her relationships with her parents, Lady Olivia, Judd, her teenage crush all grown up, and her ex all unfolded in an organic and realistic way that only deepened my emotional attachment to her. I was in her corner, cheering her on the entire way.
I adored sweet, supportive Judd but I also liked Zach immensely as well. For a while, I wasn't sure which way the author was going to take Esme romantically but I was very happy with the way it played out. I really appreciated the way both of the men's characters evolved throughout the book and I enjoyed each of their unique relationships with Esme. Only one is destined to be her love, of course, but the other is destined for the type of solid, supportive friendship we should all be fortunate enough to have.

Hobman has a way of pulling me into her stories through her characters as well as the setting. I was ready to hop a plane to Drumblair Castle after reading book one. Each successive book has only intensified that desire. I want to take the tours, picnic in the gardens, hoist a pint at the local pub, and just hang out with all the characters who feel like they've become friends.

While I'm glad I read the books in order, readers new to this series could easily begin with Shooting Stars Over the Highlands without feeling lost or confused.
4.5 stars
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review
Tour Review: Rachel's Random Resources

Esme Cassidy, 23, is getting over being dumped by her boyfriend she met when traveling during her gap year. So, back in Scotland, she is delighted to be offered a job as a PA to Lady Olivia MacBain of Drumblair Castle. She has always loved living near the castle with her parents.

While Esme had dreams of acting, she is especially thrilled to find that a TV series called “An Unlikely Inheritance” will be filmed at the castle. So that she won’t have to be taking a bus to and from her home, she decides to share a small cottage on the estate with a gardener named Judd.

An actor who is part of the TV series being filmed at the castle, Zach, is someone on whose she has had a bit of a crush. When a couple of chance meetings end with Esme helping him with his lines, they are both rather attracted to one another. However, Esme also finds that Judd also offers a life while not as glamorous but happy and fulfilling.

As interactions with both men show both to be decent, Esme decides the best man for her. Who will it be?

This is a clean story that shows how one woman learns about two wonderful men but finds the right man for her. There are some funny times and some times leaving the reader biting their nails. This author has penned yet another delightful story. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lisa Hobman for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Shooting Stars Over the Highlands coming out April 29, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I love books about Scotland! It’s a beautiful setting. I really love cozy romances. I think the castle setting was really fun. It was an interesting plot. I enjoyed the characters. The second half of the book was a little slower for me, but overall I enjoyed it.