Freya is living what seems like a dream in London—thriving in her career, in a committed relationship, and on the cusp of a major promotion. But all of that is put on pause when she gets a call that her father needs her. Without hesitation, she returns to the Isle of Skye, where the rhythm of life is slower, the air clearer, and where long-buried emotions begin to rise to the surface.

This story is beautifully emotional, delivering more than a few tear-jerking moments while still managing to wrap you in comfort. It's a rich tapestry of love, grief, friendship, and rediscovery, with the Scottish island setting offering the perfect atmospheric backdrop. The writing evokes the spirit of Skye so well that I could practically feel the sea breeze and smell the heather.

While technically a sequel, this book reads seamlessly on its own. Returning characters are reintroduced with care, and new ones—especially the fiery and wise Mhairi—add real heart and flavor. I especially loved how Mhairi’s honesty and quiet strength made her a standout in every scene.

Though the pacing dipped slightly in the middle, the ending brought everything together in a satisfying and heartwarming way. It’s a gentle but powerful reminder that unexpected detours might just lead us exactly where we’re meant to go.

this book was VERY far out of my normal. it was very cute and lighthearted despite the heavy topics in the book.

I did struggle a bit with it being in third person, and I wish we had gotten to see mack and Freya grow together a bit more, but overall it was good, and I've already recommended it to a friend that relates to a few issues in this story.

Oh how I love The Coorie Castle Crafts series !

Lilac Mills is so good to create an ambiance and chooses beautiful settings.

Freya and Mick are ment to be together and their romance is sweet and light.

The ending is nothing like what I expected, in a good way.
I loved the subplot about Vinnie, it was so much more than just a subplot.
That's life and human and about the choices you make and how they define your destiny. The things you do for your children, and for your parents.

I will gladly meet them back again in another instalment of the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo Romane for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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

I loved reading this book set on the island of Skye.

We meet characters from the previous book, but the story is mainly about Freya who is back to look after her father after he has a fall.

Her life is in London, but she decides to stay until he is able to take care of himself, but her dad would rather she went back to carry on her career.

She meets Mack and he helps her with getting the house ready for her dad to come home, as well as giving her space to do her ceramics. She has a boyfriend in London, so isn’t looking for anything other than friendship.

It was lovely to see Freya making friends with the other crafters at the castle and meeting Mhairi who was fantastic.

Mack does his boat trips, meets up with Freya’s dad so he’s not bored being in the house all day, and also helps his friends in times of need.

Hadrian, who is Freya’s boyfriend was nothing like Mack, he only wanted things his way.

It was interesting to learn about how things are made from clay, from the idea to the end product.

I highly recommend this book.

A fun romance which made me smile, with some tender, moving moments along the way. I loved the dynamic between the central couple, and it was a pleasure to follow their romance.
I really liked Freya, who was an interesting character and who was trying to do right by others as well as herself - the story reflects what a tricky balance that can be, especially for women. Mack made for a suitably attractive hunk, but with a whole lot of heart and integrity under the playful exterior.
It was also lovely to return to the craft centre and to Skye. Whilst this was the second in a series, it could easily be read as a standalone, as long as you don’t mind seeing the couple from the first book a bit further down the line.
Delightful romantic fiction with real heart which fans of Sue Moorcroft or Jessica Redland will love.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely summer read from Lilac. Well written with a storyline that kept me from putting the book down. Highly recommend.

Freya has almost everything she’s ever wanted in life and then she gets a phone call. She’s headed to Skye to care for her father after he fell.
It’s book two in this series, it was nice to revisit the castle and everyone we met in book one. This is an easy to read book about family and life.
It’s set in a gorgeous sounding location. There’s some sweet romance too. Another good beach read

Returning to Coorie Castle Crafts was a genuine treat, and I struggled to remain patient, knowing that this gem was languishing on my ‘to be read’ mountain, so as soon as I could, I dived straight in. It was good to revisit some of the characters and locations from the first in the series. It’s a testament to the author’s storytelling skills that I felt as though I was among friends from the opening pages.
This time, we follow Freya as she returns to Skye to care for her father after hearing of a fall. She’s purposely stayed away, avoiding returning home as she is still dealing with the pain from her mother’s death. So, buckling up her big girl pants, she makes the trip from London. Freya has made a name for herself as a ceramicist with a position as a lecturer in a top London college. Not content with her lot, she is now eyeing a role in a New York college and is eager to get her father to a point where she can leave him on his own.
Mackenzie Burns is a boat skipper who runs tours from the harbour, and it doesn’t take much digging to realise that he’s a big softy. His willingness to help Freya make the home ready for her father’s hospital discharge spoke more about his kindness than any words could have done.
Once again, we are introduced to Mhairi, who runs the castle with a tight rein, and Tara and Calan, whom we met in the first book. I was thrilled to hear more about them, but it was a delight that the author let each character evolve gently.
On arrival on Skye, Freya immediately gets to grips with the adjustments that will be needed to allow her father to return home. What she doesn’t anticipate is that there is much more affecting him than his recent fall. As Freya comes to terms with her discoveries, she must consider all her options.
This is a beautifully written book that I loved. Freya and Mack were a gorgeous pairing, and she added real depth to his character as he lent his support to both Freya and her father. My takeaway from this book is that not all heroes are immediately obvious, some let their kindness speak for them.
In case you are wondering, I can highly recommend this gentle book.

A wonderful book that allows you to escape the troubles of everyday life and have you dreaming of an escape to Skye. A likeable cast of characters that have appeared in a previous book (but you don’t need to have read that one to fully enjoy this one) along with Freya as the new main character. The story works because the characters are relatable and have well developed personalities. A bit of romance, a bit of drama, ans plenty of stunning scenery.

I am loving this Coorie Castle Crafts series. It's just such a great setting for a series of books, on the island of Skye.

And although a familiar location with some recurring characters from the previous book, this felt entirely different, as Freya is only back on the island as her father has had a fall.

She decides she will stay with him until he is back to full mobility which leads to some clashes. She also reconnects with Mack, although she does in theory have a boyfriend back in London. She's not really looking for anything, but is happy with friendship.

I enjoyed seeing Freya and reconnecting with some of the other crafters. And Mhairi is fabulous once again too!

This is just so enjoyable, such a heartwarming and cosy sort of a read. I loved Mack, his boat trips, how he is with Freya's dad and just everything about him. Whereas I had nothing but contempt for Hadrian.

Learning more about ceramics was also fascinating, and I would have loved to have seen some of Freya's creations.

An incredibly pleasurable book to read that left me with a smile on my face.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

When Freya gets a phone call to say her dad's in hospital she packs her bag and gets the next flight from London to her home town of Skye.
She stays to help him recover from a broken hip In The hopes it will be for a month or two then she can get back to her dream pottery job.
Mack has always had a place in Freya's heart from school days and on seeing him again has only confirmed she's always loved him but she's in a relationship still.
On finding out her father has kept a secret that it's just not his hip that's the problem that he's never going to get any better she now's she has to stay and look after him.

Freya is living her best life in London she has the job the man and an exciting offer on the cards, then life kicks in she has to rush back to the Isle of Skye as her ailing father is in hospital.
Mackenzie Burns is a love them and leave them type until he meets Freya he dosnt remember her being so gorgeous at school, but he dosnt need anything serious in his life.
Brilliantly written as usual by Lilac Mills loved it.

🌅Lovely romance touching on real issues of eldercare👴

4.5-5🌟 stars
So many parts of this novel appealed to me, including:

Strong, independent Skye-born female lead Freya, well established in her profession but with hard choices on where to head next. She had some sad reasons for not visiting Skye and her father more often, but she's there and all in when her dad needs her;

Freya's widower, retired fisherman dad, trying so hard to put his daughter's career and happiness first;

Whole issue of dad's injury/illness and the realities of recuperative care;

The romance, gradually evolving, warm, building on a shared love of Skye;

Mack, the male lead boat tour operator, so ready to lend a helping hand and sacrifice to make Freya's career dreams come true;

Skye and its coastal waters, all beautifully incorporated into the plot; and

The small-town, neighborly atmosphere.

Such a lovely read with an epilogue that just sent it off to a perfect, hope filled
ending. This is the second book in a series set on Skye and, although some characters appear in both stories, easily can be read as a standalone.

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

Review shared on 7/6/25 on Goodreads and Bookbub, and with Waterstones and Barnes & Noble. To be shared with kobo and Google Play after publication.

I want to start this review by saying WOW. What an intense and emotionally charged book. I am pleasantly surprised with this novel, I loved it so much that I keep thinking about it.

The plot is super well constructed, the story is amazing, the setting is dreamlike and the characters are wonderful.
In the end, it's such a good slow burn and a found family of madness, that it just makes you want to read everything the author writes.

I was fascinated, I can't wait to read more from her. My congratulations <3

I’ve always been a sucker for a story that takes place in Scotland so when I received this ARC I was super excited. This was no exception. I loved reading about the culture and picturing the scenery in Skye. Freya had been away from home for a few years now, living in London and excelling in her career as a potter and professor with her boyfriend. She gets a call one day saying her father fell and broke his hip so she comes home to Scotland to take care of him. There she reconnects with Mack who she knew as a child growing up. She has a lot of personal decisions to make for her future and struggles with making those decisions. This was a heart felt story with closed door romance that takes place in a small town.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this story early!

A brilliant read. The main character was amazing potter and her father was ill and she dropped everything and you follow her life. It is a great story and you get a neat good ending . Set in a beautiful Skye . Loved it

Really enjoyed this read, it was lighthearted and had a warm feeling with it. Definitely recommend reading this. Nice and quick read and kept me wanting more xx

The story follows Freya, who returns to the remote Scottish island of her childhood to care for her estranged father, Vinnie, after he falls seriously ill. Their relationship is fractured, but what unfolds is a deeply emotional and believable journey of reconnection and forgiveness. Freya’s quiet strength and unwavering commitment to being there for her father—even when it means putting her own life on hold—makes her instantly lovable and easy to root for.

The father-daughter dynamic is one of the standout elements of the book. Mills handles their complex relationship with nuance and tenderness, showing the slow rebuilding of trust after years of absence. It’s touching, real, and never overdone.

The romance between Freya and Mack, a local islander, is a slow burn done right. Their connection grows gently and organically, grounded in friendship, witty banter, and emotional honesty. Mack is thoughtful, respectful, and incredibly supportive—especially as Freya untangles her complicated feelings for her ex, Hadrian. (And yes, Hadrian firmly earns a place on the “you blew it” list.)

One of the most charming aspects of the novel is the sense of community. The islanders genuinely care about each other, and the way they rally around Freya and Vinnie adds warmth and depth to the setting. The village feels like a character in its own right—comforting, familiar, and always present.

With its heartfelt emotional arcs, authentic characters, and a strong sense of place, this book is a beautiful exploration of second chances—both in family and in love. It’s cozy, poignant, and uplifting, with just the right mix of realism and romance. Overall, it is tender, slow-burning gem that lingers long after the final page.

This is a standalone romance, the second installment in the Coorie Castle series written by Lilac Mills. I found this short (under 300 pages), closed-door romance to be a cute story with relatable characters. If you are looking for a quick read, this one will draw you into a fictional, small town in the beautiful Isle of Skye.

ARC Critique (with spoiler) - The one thing that I think would make this a great story is more “showing” instead of “telling.” For example, when Freye says that she has been in love with Mack since they were kids, that is it. It was just a statement without any reason to believe her. There are multiple parts of the story where this occurs. Adding vivid details that show a character's emotions, rather than simply stating them, can deeply engage readers and bring the characters to life.

ARC Star Ratings
1 - Do Not Recommend
2 - This book shows promise but requires substantial editing to address its notable flaws and unlock its full potential.
3 - The story's foundation is strong, though it could benefit from further refinement in certain areas to elevate its impact.
4 - A compelling and well-crafted story that I’d confidently recommend to readers.
5 - A great story that will stay with me. No Notes!

Beautiful story! I could relate so much as I was a caregiver for my dad. It had all the elements of beautiful book, family, heart, romance and it was set in the most beautiful of settings. Highly recommend: