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dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
gemin1reader's review against another edition
2.5
The FMC was very annoying and the MMC was essentially a charicature. Not the worst thing I’ve read but one I had to force myself to get to the end of.
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
jrae_miller's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Cursing, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs and Alcohol
Context for racial slurs as a moderate CW, I'll hide it as a spoilermegnut's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Grief
kb33's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment and Death of parent
zydecovivo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment and Terminal illness
katrinaward's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
caitevans7's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Abandonment and Death of parent
embroidery_by_booklover's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual content
gluvsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
‘Kilt Trip’ is a beautiful story about grief and forgiveness and ultimately finding a home; feeling like you belong somewhere. And can’t we all relate to that on some level?
I’m firstly going to comment on the beautiful descriptions we got in this book. The picturesque setting of Scotland were described so vividly in a way like I was right there along side Logan and Addie walking through the halls of each Castle. This book is also steeped in wondrous Scottish history. It was as if I was in a history lesson but not the boring kind, the kind where I’m intrigued to learn more. I can say for certain that this book has cemented the fact that I need to visit Scotland to visit the hidden treasures of the country.
Another thing I enjoyed was the side characters and sense of found family. It was so heartwarming to see how Logan’s family and friends welcomed Addie instantly and opened their arms to her into their family, immediately becoming a member of the Sutherland Clan.
Addie is a travel consultant whose focus is mainly on work and is afraid to open her heart to let someone in. Logan is taking over his family’s business—a tour guiding company—and turns his nose up at any sign of change. What they both share is a sense of loneliness and they both hold pent-up resentment toward family members—Addie with her dad for neglect her after the passing of her mother, and Logan with his brothers for leaving him to keep the company afloat on his own.
What I love about these characters is the strength each of them hold, yet they’re honestly both just so compassionate. Neither of them want to let down the people they hold dear. They both struggle with putting their own interest and wants first, and the journey they go on together of finding the strength to put forward their ideas is so lovely.
The chemistry and banter between Addie and Logan was just so entertaining to read. The rivals-to-lovers dynamic within a workplace setting created a tension filled space, making it quite satisfying when they eventually come together.
The thing i most appreciated is the author’s exploration of grief. The way they wrote about it didn’t define loss as just one thing, but as a complex thing that can be dealt with in different ways depending on the person. It was a heartbreakingly beautiful portrayal of how Addie loses her mother, yet also her father to his own grief. Addies grieves both parents and Kiley does this in a gentle and tender way.
Addie struggles with the death of her mother even after so many year have passed. She is proof that grief isn’t something that ever really fully goes away; it’s something you have to learn to live with. For Addie, being in Scotland was a contrast reminder of her mother, yet it was also the place she found the most connect to her and was able to find a home within in and let go of her grief, especially with the help of Logan.
I absolutely adored how he helped her—by tailoring tours to search for the places her mother had visited in the Polaroids—was so tender and loving. I love Logan for his ability to allow Addie to move forward in her own time. He didn’t push her, he waited for her to come to him. Their dynamic was so caring and patient, it allowed both of them room to grow.
Also, I loved when Addie growth extended into her career too. She finally was able to realise what she wanted professionally! That travelling the world was great but it wasn’t giving her what she needed most. A home. Addie put forward her ideas for the company, no longer afraid of disappointing her boss, but finally following what she believed clients wanted.
While Addie learns to get a new lease on life, Logan learns to believe in his ability to take over his family business. He’s so afraid to disappoint others that he doesn’t allow himself to take the company in the direct that he wants. But with Addies help and support from others he’s finally able to take the leap.
The epilogue here was just so sweet and perfect. Honestly because they’re perfect I loved them.
Thank you to netgalley and Alexandra Kiley for an arc of ‘Kilt Trip’ in exchange for an honest review.
—————-
tropes:
- travel consultant x tour guide
- kilt-wearing tour guide
- set in scottland
- insta-lust
- slow burn
- he falls first
- rivals-to-lovers
- workplace romance
- found family
- 3rd act breakup
- steeped in scottish history
content warnings:
- deals with grief / forgiveness
- death of a parent (past tense-off page)
- estranged parent
—————
Quotes:
- [ ] "She irked him to no end, but he couldn’t deny sparring with her gave him a heady rush.”
- [ ] “She brought a lot of chaos into his life, but also a lot of light. He’d feel her absence long after she’s gone.”
- [ ] “He wanted to know everything about Addie’s watchful green eyes, the stories she didn’t share tonight; and what her lips would taste like.”
- [ ] “He was undeniably drawn to the parts of her she kept hidden.”
- [ ] “It scared her how easily he comforted her, how she handed over pieces of herself without meaning to.”
- [ ] “He’s forgotten how small she was. She was always such a formidable opponent.”
- [ ] “But the quiet side of her that revealed her heart so carefully called to him in a way he had no choice but to answer.”
- [ ] “His heart recognised something in her. A reminder to see the world with fresh eyes. She made him feel adventurous.”
- [ ] “He was the sunset over a lake, mountains scraping the sky, uncharted territory, and endless expanse of wonder.”
- [ ] “Her rib cage was no longer any protection, her skin too thin, her heart trying to burst out to meet his. Logan always broke through her defenses.”
- [ ] “He didn’t want to lose her. Not now, not ever.”
- [ ] “He wanted to take all her lonely memories and replace them with his loud family.”
- [ ] "she will captivate your imagination, make you want to uncover the depths of her past. You'll fall in love with not just her beauty but also her heart."
- [ ] “while he loved kissing her in dark corners, all he really wanted was to hold her hand in the light.”
- [ ] “I can’t bear the thought of being without you.”
- [ ] “In the dreamy aftermath, she curled into him. Locked together; their breathing synched. Their heartbeats did, too.”
- [ ] “arms and hearts looper together like an unbreakable Celtic knot.”
- [ ] “He could take on anything with her by his side.”
- [ ] “You push me to take risks. Take a chance on me, Addie. I’m a good bet.”
- [ ] “You brought my heart back to life.”
- [ ] “I will always want to explore new places, but I want to come home when I’m done. And for me, that’s not out in the moor or anywhere else she went. It’s with you.”
- [ ] “After a life of wandering, she was finally home.”
- [ ] “Go explore the far reach of the earth. I hope to join you. But when you’re done, come home to me, lass.”
- [ ] “Look at me like you’ll love me your whole life through.”
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent