Tour Review - - Shooting Stars Over the Highlands

Shooting Stars Over the Highlands

by Lisa Hobman

The Scottish Highland Series - Book 4

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Esme Cassidy had two dreams growing up: to be a famous film star, and to own Drumblair Castle.

Sadly, overly cautious parents put paid to a career in front of the camera, instead encouraging her to study towards a ‘proper job’, and Lady Olivia MacBain is the current custodian of ‘her castle’.

After graduating and a year travelling, Esme returns home broken-hearted and throws herself into her new role as Lady Olivia’s PA at Drumblair Castle. It’s not quite her original dream but at least she’s living at the castle in one of the estate cottages with her housemate and friend, handsome, yet quirky, groundsman Judd.

With the news that the castle will be used as a film set for a period movie, Esme gets to witness first-hand the career she missed out on. And with her teenage crush in the starring role, she can’t believe her luck. But he wouldn’t be interested in a girl like her, surely?

PJ's Thoughts:

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. 

Tour Review - - A Highland Family Affair

A Highland Family Affair

by Lisa Hobman

The Scottish Highland Series - Book 3

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Release Date: October 5, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

Can people ever really change or are family ties always set to unravel?

After inheriting Drumblair Castle over her older brother Kerr, Lady Olivia MacBain has had to forge a new life for herself far away from New York and her dream career in fashion. She fears her brother’s bitterness has fractured their relationship to the point of no return and is still clearing away the devastation he left when he disappeared.

Kerr’s unexpected return and supposed change of heart raises eyebrows. He is now seeking forgiveness and to rebuild the bridges he previously wrecked, but can he be trusted, or is it all just smoke and mirrors?

While her friends are settling down, Olivia patiently waits for childhood sweetheart Brodie to propose and wonders if she will ever get her happy ever after.

Can Olivia find a happy future or are promises always made to be broken?

PJ's Thoughts:

Can people really change? That's the question Olivia MacBain faces when her estranged brother Kerr reappears in her life in this third book in Lisa Hobman's The Scottish Highland series. 

I enjoyed the first two books in this series and have been looking forward to Olivia's HEA with Brodie, the childhood friend she reunited with in book one. What I did not expect when I began reading A Highland Family Affair was a possible reconciliation and redemption arc for Kerr. Of course, that part of the journey is filled with ups and downs, as I would expect after Kerr's actions earlier in the series. I really enjoyed the way Hobman laid out that part of the story. There were enough twists along the way to make things both realistic and relatable while also keeping me guessing how things would turn out right up until the end...with Olivia's relationships with both Kerr and Brodie. 

Hobman excelled in bringing both her characters as well as the Scottish setting to life in this series. The descriptions of Olivia's family castle and estate are so vividly depicted that I could easily picture it...and want to visit. The characters are complex and fully developed with complicated back stories and relationships, both present and past. I love Olivia's friends - in both Scotland and the US - and the love and support they all give one another. Bestie Bella's Granny Isla is another favorite. She's back and as hilarious as ever in this book. 

The romance between Brodie and Olivia has been a heartwarming,  though by no means easy, journey and their hard-won happy ending is tearfully sigh worthy. I especially enjoyed the tie-in with some of the characters from Glentorrin from Hobman's The Skye Collection series, a special treat for fans of that series.

I'm going to strongly recommend reading the three books in Lisa Hobman's The Scottish Highland series in order. I think it's essential in order to fully understand the journey these characters have taken and be able to appreciate the evolution of the relationships, both familial and romantic. 

Click the titles to read my reviews of books one and two in this series.

Coming Home to the Highlands

Chasing a Highland Dream

Review - - Chasing a Highland Dream

Chasing a Highland Dream

by Lisa Hobman

The Highlands - Book 2

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Release Date: February 28, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Since having to drop out of her design degree, Bella Douglas has been unlucky in just about everything life has thrown at her.

She’s lost more jobs than she cares to remember and despite her Granny Isla’s best attempts to set her up with every eligible bachelor in the Scottish Highlands and she’s still single.

Currently PA to her best friend, aka, Lady Olivia MacBain, at the 17th century Drumblair Castle, Bella is yet to find a role that sets her soul on fire. But when disaster strikes for Olivia, Bella steps into the breach to rescue her best friend from a fate worse than a bad interior designer.

When Bella and her Granny Isla find themselves homeless, they relocate to the castle where a handsome new neighbour brings mystery, intrigue and a spark of romance.

Is Bella finally on the track to find true happiness? Or do more catastrophes lie ahead? And does true love hide where you least expect it?

PJ's Thoughts:

Lisa Hobman returns to Drumblair Castle with another feel-good story set in the Scottish Highlands. This time, it's Lady Olivia's best friend, Bella who is in the spotlight. With her love life in ruins, Bella is determined to go it alone while she works with Olivia to ready Olivia's family castle for it's grand opening to the public. As good as that plan is, fate - and Bella's Granny Isla - may have something else in mind.

Lisa Hobman has become one of my go-to authors over the past few years. I've loved the books in her Skye Collection and enjoyed the first Highlands book, Coming Home to the Highlands (Olivia's story). Her feel-good storylines are heart-tugging, amusing, and leave me wanting to book the next flight to Scotland. Her characters are well-developed and intriguing with relatable, sometimes complex, relationships. I love the friendship threads that run through her stories as much as the romance. I also enjoy the secondary characters who add texture and richness to the story as well as, in some cases, stealing about every scene they're in. Like Granny Isla, the purple-haired octogenarian with a keen wit, sharp eye, loving heart, and propensity for hilarious malapropisms. She kept me chuckling throughout the entire book. 

The love scenes in the book are closed door, the romance a slow burn, with a gradual escalation of feelings that is heartwarming and realistic. For fans of Hobman, there's also a tie-in with her Skye series that's fun but shouldn't cause any confusion for readers new to her books. For those who are new, Chasing a Highland Dream can be enjoyed on its own however, I think you'll enjoy it more if you've already read Coming Home to the Highlands. I don't know what Hobman has in store for readers next but whatever it is, I'll be checking it out. 

Review - - Coming Home to the Highlands

Coming Home to the Highlands

by Lisa Hobman

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Release Date: April 4, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

Sometimes life is full of surprises, especially when you least expect them…

Born into the Scottish Clan MacBain and the 17th century ancestral home, Drumblair Castle, Liv MacBain has always dreamt of
leaving the ancient homestead and becoming her own person in the world of fashion.

From a young age, she worshipped the trailblazing designs of the haute couture glitterati, hoping one day to join them.

With older brother Kerr, the rightful heir, Liv has been free to spread her wings.

Fast forward. Liv, is now 28 years old, working at a high-end fashion house and living her dream life in New York. She’s
never been happier.

Until everything changes with one devastating phone call from her brother, Kerr, that brings her rushing back to
Scotland.

Old friends and adversaries resurface and Liv faces a difficult decision that could mean her dream future can no longer be
a reality.

Or can you have your castle and your career?

PJ's Thoughts:

I've read other books by Lisa Hobman and enjoyed them so I was looking forward to this one. The premise is intriguing and who doesn't love a Scottish castle, right? Unfortunately, this one fell a little short of my expectations. That's not to say I didn't like it. I did. But I really wanted to love it. 

The setting of the book is wonderful. Hobman really brings Liv's family's castle to life. I could easily envision both the castle and the grounds as I was reading. The characters are also brought to life, some very appealing and others not so much. The author gives several of them interesting layers, complex life issues, and secrets. In fact, she uses them to introduce some very weighty and relatable topics, begging to be explored more fully, and with one character, an issue that isn't talked about enough (in my opinion). 

The biggest fly in the ointment for me was Liv's brother, Kerr. He's a self-centered, entitled, egomaniacal jerk who treats his sister with careless disregard at his best and outright cruelty at his worst. This goes on for the vast majority of the book until there's an inexplicable change - an abrupt, unexpected change of course that I didn't buy for a moment. It felt contrived and unrealistic and didn't leave me with the feel-good moment I'm pretty sure the author was hoping for. 

I liked Liv. My heart ached for her - for the grief that was breaking her heart, the tug of war between her loyalty to family and her passion for her career. I loved her relationships with her childhood pals in Scotland, her roommate in NYC, her mother's dog, and her boss. Everyone should be lucky enough to have a boss like Liv's. I was cheering for her to find her happy ending even while shaking my head at the choices she made in direct opposition to what she had always adamantly said she wanted. And for an intelligent woman, how did she not clue in to what was so glaringly obvious? 

The book ends on a high note with a happy ending for more than one couple. But I still don't trust Liv's brother. 

CW: Parental death, grief, domestic violence (off page)

Tour Review - - Together Under a Snowy Skye

Together Under a Snowy Skye

by Lisa Hobman

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Release Date: August 24, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

After the heartbreak of a secret unrequited love, Millie Treadaway has finally found someone to spend her life with.

Harry Rose is handsome, successful and treats her like a princess. That is until Millie presents her fiancé with a surprise birthday gift, and their future is suddenly doomed.

Eight months later Millie returns to Glentorrin on the Isle of Skye for her best friend Jules’ Christmas wedding. Heartbroken, single and heavily pregnant.

Staying in Lifeboat Cottage with Jules’ brother, kindhearted Dexter, she’s given up on love and resigned herself to be the best single Mum ever.

But a shock phone call from Harry leaves her reeling and doubting herself and her decisions.

Do second chances work? Or is Dexter, right? That she deserves much more?

Can the festive spirit in Glentorrin, and a little stray Jack Russell terrier, heal her heart?

Or is she fated to remain a member of the lonely-hearts club forever?

PJ's Thoughts:

Lisa Hobman's village of Glentorrin, on the Isle of Skye, has become one of my favorite places to visit. She's created a warm, welcoming atmosphere in this close-knit village with characters I want to be friends with. Her books are so immersive that I can easily visualize myself strolling the streets, popping into the shops, and chatting over tea and biscuits with locals. I love that with each new book I get to catch up with characters from earlier books while meeting new ones who excel in capturing a place for themselves in my affections. 

Parts of Millie's journey in this book were heartbreaking and emotional but they were tempered by the humor, hope, and unconditional support she found in Glentorrin, especially from her best friend Jules and Jules' brother, Dexter. And, of course, Nigel (the dog). Can't forget about him!

As for Millie's journey of the heart, I was Team Dex all the way. What a sweet, kind, steadfast, wonderful man. I adored him and wanted Dex and Millie to adore each other. But life is messy and in true Hobman fashion, there are more than a few twists and turns - and other characters - who throw up obstacles along the way, not the least of which being Harry. It's a complex, and complicated, situation but, rest assured, everything works out the way it's meant to. Of course, you won't know which way that is until you read the book. ;-)

If you enjoy charming, heartfelt, romantic stories set in a cozy Scottish village with well-developed characters, relatable storylines, and well-earned happy endings, I recommend booking a (reading) trip to Glentorrin and Together Under a Snowy Skye. While there are earlier books in the series and continuing characters who appear in this one, readers new to the series should have no trouble beginning with Millie's story. 

Tour Review - - Wishing Under a Starlit Skye

Wishing Under a Starlit Skye

by Lisa Hobman

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Release Date: January 13, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Glentorrin bakery owner, and lone parent, Caitlin Fraser, is single and finally ready to mingle.

With her daughter, Grace, about to become a teenager, and her friends all settling down, Caitlin decides she deserves a shot at happiness too.

Resisting the pull of dating apps, Caitlin embarks upon a series of disastrous singles events where she bumps into fellow villager, and astronomy buff, Archie Sutherland, who is nursing his own past secrets.

When Grace’s best friend’s father, handsome Lyle Budge, asks Caitlin to dinner, things progress quickly and she has a taste of what their future as a family could be, much to both their daughters delight! But when Archie makes a shocking discovery, and he turns to Caitlin for help, she soon discovers Lyle isn’t the sharing type, meaning prickly ultimatums loom for everyone.

Will wishing upon the stars over Glentorrin help Caitlin to figure out her way forward? Or is her hunt for romance like a once in a lifetime comet, easily missed in the blink of an eye?

PJ's Thoughts:

Lisa Hobman's village of Glentorrin on the Isle of Skye has become one of my favorite fictional places to visit. With each new book set there I feel like I'm catching up with old friends, meeting a few new ones, and welcomed back with warm hugs. It was fun catching up with couples from the first two books and meeting new villagers with future story potential. 

I've been looking forward to Caitlin's story and it did not disappoint. I loved the development of the characters in this book as well as the evolution of Caitlin's relationships. It's true that sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs before finding your prince. Also true that sometimes that prince isn't the one you were expecting.

Caitlin's forays into dating at 40 were frequently humorous, sometimes awkward, and very relatable. I enjoyed the twists and turns her journey took. Of course, nothing you do in Glentorrin is done in a vacuum which means everyone feels they have a stake in the outcome of Caitlin's new adventures, including her friends and her 13-year-old daughter, Grace. All of it comes from a place of love though and they all have Caitlin's best interests at heart.  

I really enjoyed Grace, an evolving character who has a journey of her own. She and Caitlin have always been a team of two. Allowing new people into their family requires changes and the way those changes unfold (with some surprising twists) were both heart-tugging and uplifting. 

Archie stole my heart with his generous, caring nature. This is a man anyone would be blessed to have for a friend. I was surprised by a twist that occurred as a result of friendship but wouldn't have expected any less from this character. I really enjoyed his slowly-deepening friendship with both Caitlin and Grace. He's a gem and I was in his corner, cheering him on the entire way. 

If you enjoy close-knit communities, mature characters, plenty of humor and heart, some surprising twists, and well-deserved happy endings, check out Wishing Under a Starlit Skye. It can be enjoyed as a standalone but I also recommend Dreaming Under an Island Skye and Under an Italian Skye. Characters from both of the earlier books figure prominently in this one. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Lisa Hobman has written many brilliantly reviewed women’s fiction titles – the first of which was shortlisted by the RNA for their debut novel award. In 2012 Lisa relocated her family from Yorkshire to a village in Scotland and this beautiful backdrop now inspires her uplifting and romantic stories. Her first title for Boldwood Dreaming Under an Island Skye was published in February 2021.

Social Media Links –  

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Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/LisaHobmanNewsletter

 

Tour Review - - Under a Sicilian Sky

Under a Sicilian Sky

by Lisa Hobman

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Release Date: July 8, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Global box office sensation, Ruby Locke, is a long way from her Yorkshire roots. Together with her fiancé, movie heartthrob Tyler Harrison, they are Hollywood’s new glitterati.

Overnight, however, Ruby’s life implodes when her social media accounts are hacked with a multitude of vile posts, turning her into an international pariah. Even Tyler breaks off their engagement.

Confused and heartbroken, Ruby escapes to the beautiful island of Sicily to avoid the media scrutiny and clear her name. With only a Yorkshire Terrier to comfort her, Ruby is befriended by a handsome neighbour and slowly begins to heal.

But who is this mysterious man and what are his intentions?

When her Sicilian hideaway is compromised, Ruby is once again forced to relocate, this time to the stunning Isle of Skye.

In the tranquil cove of Glentorrin, Ruby is left questioning not only who wants to destroy her career, and why but also if celebrity lifestyle is really for her...

PJ's Thoughts:

Stuck at home dreaming of spending your summer on the golden shores of Sicily? Or, perhaps, tucked up in a cozy cottage on Scotland's Isle of Skye? Lisa Hobman's Under a Sicilian Sky takes you to both places from the comfort of your own living room, with vivid descriptions that left me feeling like I was right there with her characters as they explored both Sicily and Skye.  

This was my first book by Hobman so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. What I discovered was plenty of adventure, a bit of a mystery, slow-burn romance, friendship, substantial character growth, and emotional depth. It took me a while to warm up to Ruby, which is why the second half of the book (in Scotland) was my favorite. By that point in the story, she'd learned some hard lessons, begun to mature, and was beginning to take control of her own destiny. I very much enjoyed the friendships she made on Skye and the female support she received when things started to go sideways. There's also a surprising, and consistent, source of comfort and support that comes from a small group of individuals back in the U.S. I'm being purposely vague to avoid spoilers but I loved those people. I also enjoyed the mystery that's woven throughout the book and the fact that the author was able to keep me on my toes with twists and turns along the way that held some unexpected surprises.

By the end of the book, I was happy with the person Ruby had become, cheered her choices, was confident in the happy future that awaited her both personally and professionally, and even more eager to visit Scotland. 

If you're looking for a summer read that will take you to foreign shores, introduce you to intriguing characters, and enmesh you in a ripped-from-the-headlines mystery that could easily happen to any of us on social media, give Under a Sicilian Sky by Lisa Hobman a try.