Return to Loch Strathkin is book three in the Loch Strathkin series, a series that I have absolutely loved, the author writes the most beautifully atmospheric stories full of emotion that will pull at your heartstrings.

It was great to meet Marcie and all our old friends again, plus a few new faces that shake up the dynamics of Strathkin. The first half of the book is quite sad as our characters deal with a number of loses, but there is also the familiar warmth, sweetness, and humour of the previous books. I loved the introduction of Ruaridh's brother Ross, which really shook things up, particularly with Marcie, although I do still have some unanswered questions around Ross & his return.

This was another really enjoyable read and I'm hoping the series is not over yet.

**I would not recommend reading this as a standalone.

Back in Strathkin for the third, and final(?!) instalment in the series set in the remote Scottish Highlands about life, love, and family.
We see Marcie, Bella and Heather learning to live without their friend Dina who sadly passed away in book 2. For Ruaridh this task feels like it must be impossible. He is the kind of character you can picture as a troubled teddy bear, you just want to wrap him up and tell him everything will be ok!
We meet big brother Ross at long last, what a complicated character but I really enjoyed getting to know him and the arc his character takes.
There are many pieces of the puzzle finally put together in this read, but there are still some things left a little open for some of the characters and I wonder whether we will see the characters again somehow and get everything resolved completely.
It's been a really great series that I would definitely recommend.

Return to Strathkin is #3 in a series. When I picked it up to read I didn't realise this and so for parts of the book I was completely mystified. So I would say definitely not a stand alone. I kept on reading trying to hold all the various characters in my mind and how they fitted in to each other. As well I was wondering how did this or that happen?

I loved the setting in the Scottish Highlands and the easy way the author had of writing. She makes it very readable and so I didn't give up.

I was interested in all the characters, I liked Marcie who the book mostly followed. She is on the verge of divorce and perhaps on the verge of something new. I really enjoyed the cat she reluctantly acquired. I was impressed with how she cared for Hannah - a lone waif - when she appeared on the scene.

As well the Balfour brothers were on the whole loveable and real. Ruaridh is navigating the loss of his wife whom he obviously loved. She died in the previous book but I have no idea how. And as well then there are the various friends that make up the variety in the village.

There was some mystery and some of it rather sinister, however it seemed to end reasonably well.

I would most likely read a follow up if there were one, and might even consider backtracking to the two previous books. If I had my time over I wouldn't start with this one!

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. A story set in Scotland, a remote village with a fairly tight knit community. Everyone knows everyone else and thinks they know their stories. Marcie has returned to the village, after the death of her friend Dina, Ross has returned from Australia . Rudiyah, is struggling with his grief and his young family. Can they support each other? What secrets are being kept? Hannah, a new arrival to the village has her secrets. Can they help each other? The characters are well written and some of the landscapes are vividly described but at times the pace of the story is too slow. Generally, an easy read of a cosy story. I think it is probably a good idea to have read the previous books in the series to better understand the context. I can recommend this book to those who like easy reads.

Return to Loch strathkin by Elayne Grimes.
Loch strathkin book 3.
I did enjoy this book. I love the cover. I have loved all three books. Although there is sadness in book 2. I still love Marcie and her two remaining friends Heather and Bella. I did feel for Ruaridh. I loved the setting. I liked the writing style and the story. I do like to see new characters. Even returning one although I didn't like him. Pyotr is a villian in my eyes. I do hope there is more to come as I feel there is some loose ends.

The West Highland setting sells this book to me having spent many happy holidays there, the author obviously knows and loves the area well.
I didn't read the first book in the series but I did read the second one and was able to pick up the story, however, had I not done so, I think that I would have struggled with this one.
I did enjoy this book, I loved the way the group of friends from childhood had all deviated back to the village, a village that is in their DNA, a village where everyone knows everyone and friendships run deep.
I felt for Ruaridh as he struggled to come to terms with Dina's death and how he continued to instil Dina's values into their children.
Marcie's feelings for Ruaridh were still strong but now that his brother Ross was back on the scene would this alter the dynamics of the close knit community ?
Various new characters appear in the village, Dieter Frum, a distraught German seeking revenge, Hannah, a sweet runaway who finds a gentle love, and returning to the village are Callum, Marcie's beloved uncle and Poytr Medvedev, her nemesis who wants her dead.
I am hoping that there is another book in this series because, although I enjoyed returning to Strathkin with it's mixed assortment of characters and loves, I though that there were a few loose ends that need addressing.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.

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

I enjoyed reading this book.

The story is about Marcie and her two friends, Bella and Heather. Her third friend was Dina who passed away. We read about her death and how her husband is finding it hard to live his life without her.

When a newcomer arrives in Strathkin, we begin to find out why she’s there, and slowly she begins a friendship with Dax who is Ruaridh's son.

When Ross also returns to Strathkin, villagers begin to think why he’s back, because everything he does has a reason.

I recommend this book.

The second book by Elayne Crimes I have read and enjoyed. Set in the Scottish Highlands an area clearly loved by the author which comes out in the writing. For me a pleasant book that was a quick read. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

This is the third book in the Loch Strathkin series and does not work really well as a standalone because there is too much history between the main characters and it could leave a reader confused. You could start with book two, Escape to the Highland Retreat, and be okay, although I prefer to read series from the beginning.

The main character is Marcie Mosse and the story revolves around her and her two remaining best friends, Bella and Heather. One of their best friends (Dina) died in the preceding book and her death is talked about in this book because of the struggle of her husband Ruaridh to move on.

A young woman arrived in Strathkin and we slowly found out her backstory and why she was in the village. I liked how she developed a friendship and then a romance with Ruaridh’s son, Dax. You have to wonder why Ruaridh’s brother Ross returned because apparently he doesn’t do anything without a reason. I liked how Marcie’s friends said she had Balfouritis because it seemed like she was interested in both brothers.

It was a strange story because the villain from book two made an appearance and the reason did not make sense. Why not move on? I thought Ruaridh’s conversation with Marcie was awkward about moving on and pretty presumptuous that she even wanted him as a future husband. I liked Ross coming into the story and why he came back and his blossoming romance with Marcie. Marcie was hard to warm up to because she seemed very self-involved, but that did not detract from my enjoying the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had read the first book in this series but not the second one. I felt confused from page one in this book.
Maybe because the chapters and characters jumped around. I struggled to stay interested in the story.

This is going to be a review not like many of my other ones. I have read many books where it would be number two or number three number four in a series and I was able to get through it with no problem. Unfortunately, for this one, it was very hard for me. There were so many characters that I was unfamiliar with and normally I do not have a problem but this time I did.
It was a beautifully written story of heartache,loss and friendship. A best friend lost and the circle of friendship is cracked. A husband losing his wife and doesn’t know how to move on. A terrible accident took the lives of loved one and some are looking for revenge. Will this revenge help everyone to move on? Will the new stranger Hannah help heal the people of Loch Strahkin or will she bring a terrible secret to this town.
I wish I read the other books in the series. This was a beautifully written story. I wish I could’ve appreciated it more. Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC.

Confusing at times🤔

3-3.5🌟 stars
There were some good elements in this book, but they were diluted by the lack of background on some key elements in the earlier stories in the series. I liked the introduction of some new characters like young Hanna and Ross; the developing relationships for Marcie's tight circle of friends and Ruaridh's oldest son Dax; and the reappearance of villain Pyotr. I was glad to read that, despite the pain of Dina's passing, some of the Balfour clan was moving on.

This story would have benefited from a beginning synopsis of major events in the preceding two volumes. The story lacked even a cursory explanation of why Marcie no longer owns Swansfield House and the mansion is in tatters, how lovely Dina died, why Angelina is relevant to the future of the wrecked mansion and how Pyotr wreaked havoc in the community or why he wants revenge. IMO, seeing how often oblique references are made to these issues, they really needed some recap to get new readers up to speed and jog the memories for those following the series. As it stands, this book is definitely not a standalone novel. And the whole mystery of the reason for Ross's return from New Zealand? It did not make any sense no matter how hard I thought about it after the big reveal.

Although I struggled a bit with this one, I am still drawn to the characters, especially grieving Ruaridh and his children, and will be looking for the next volume in the series. This small Scottish community still has plenty of healing to get through!

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 7/3/25 on Goodreads and with Barnes & Noble and BAM.

after a series of losses Macie goes to her uncle's cottage in a small, pretty village. she meets lots of new people and some old friends return.

In addition to a wonderful story I got to travel to the Scottish Highlands. The descriptions were vividly written. One day I'd love to enjoy the scenery in real life as a result of reading this glorious book.

oh to be back with the Loch series we all love and the characters that now feel like coming home. Elayne has written such a beautiful series and made me feel so connected to the world she has built both in people and place.
this is the third in the series and it is just as deep and emotionally wonderful as the others. you are bought seamlessly back into this world and its like walking down the street and finding yourself in this community you cherish once again. i feel lucky ive got to know both books and the people within it. the people feel real with all the nuance and complexities that can sometimes come with that.
Marcie has a few more things to contend with in this book alongside her friends both old and new. and a new face is definitely bringing a little excitement and intrigue to both reader and characters alike.
come in take your shoes off and snuggle down with this book. as once again it fills you up with all you could want from a book, a series and our small town joy. the themes are not always easy. the characters dont always have it easy. but once again the want no need to read this book is very easy indeed.

Thank you to NetGalley, STORM Publishing and the talented author for the opportunity to read this book pre-release.

A triumphant return to Strathkin in this third captivating installment of love and lingering secrets - it’s every bit as stirring, sharp, and soulful as readers could hope for.

Like a brisk Highland breeze, it sweeps you right back to the glens and the lives of Marcie and friends, where drama simmers beneath the surface and loyalty runs deep. With its trademark blend of heart, humor, and fierce friendships, the story proves once again that in Strathkin, the bonds between bold female spirits and the resilience found in small-town kindness come with more punch than a ceilidh brawl!

Bonus content alert: a fresh Balfour gent has arrived, and let’s just say, things in Strathkin are heating up nicely….

We follow a number of villagers from Strathkin in the Highlands after a series of loses. It took me a bit to get into it, until the stories began to mesh a bit. Overall, I enjoyed the variety of stories lines, but I did find it a bit tough to stay invested due to the number of discreet plots.

This series continues to confuse me, even with allmy patience.tge sheer number of characters and relationships is hard to keep track. And Marcie, is still not on my favorite list, which is a problem as she plays a vital part in all 3 books.

Still, I have hope that one day I have the patience to read all the books in the series to get the flow of the storyline and characters.

#ReturntoLochStrathkin #NetGalley

This was a lovely and mostly gentle romp with a charming cast of characters. The characters are added slowly over the first section of the book, each with their own personality, friendship group and past. They are then slowly woven together as couples form, friends discover more about each other and money shapes who speaks to whom. There is also a sensitive look at violence against women and what happens when a marriage goes wrong, as well as what a good relationship can look like. A little bit of a far fetched episode with a drone felt a bit odd in the plot however a strong read with memorable characters and stunning Scottish highland scenery.

The third book in the Loch Strathkin series does not disappoint. Fantastic female characterisation and once again a wonderful thread of stories all stitched into one. The language is rich and engaging and the plot runs at a good steady pace. There are inevitably some sad moments but also laugh out loud too as Maureen Berman establishes herself in the quarter of women 😁. Absolutely adorable to see young love blossom after a family tragedy.
Read it in two days - can’t wait for more! 🙏
(PS I think I’m joining Marcie Mosse in having Balfouritis! 🤦‍♀️❤️)