Book Review - The Christmas Castle in Scotland by Julie Caplin

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Title: The Christmas Castle in Scotland

Author: Julie Caplin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 31st October 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Unwrap this gorgeous gift of a book for an escape to the snow-peaked caps of the Scottish Highlands and a romance that will melt your heart…

Izzy McBride had never in a million years expected to inherit an actual castle from her great uncle Bill but here she was, in the run up to Christmas, Monarch of her own Glen – a very rundown glen in need of a lot of TLC if her dream of turning it into a boutique bed and breakfast was to come true.

But when Izzy’s eccentric mother rents a room to enigmatic thriller author Ross Adair and the Scottish snow starts to settle like the frosting on a Christmas cake, it’s a race to get the castle ready before they’re all snowed in for the holidays.

I couldn't get enough of this book, I really wanted it to go on and on forever as I was enjoying it that much.  It's Julie Caplin at her very best. 

It's warm and cosy, its a hug of a book filled with nourishing food, a castle that is being turned into a hotel, a delightfully eccentric Xanthe (well she doesn't like to be called Izzy's mum),  an unexpected lodger, other waifs and strays, and lovely feeling of Christmas too. 

All set in the snowy Scotland highlands and the castle even comes complete with Duncan, who speaks with a thick local dialect, that I could hear clearly in my head (but since I'm bad with accents, would have been awful had I tried speaking it allowed).   This really does feel remarkably Scottish, and thankfully barely a bagpipe in sight. 

Definitely some kilts though, but first we have Izzy who has just done a cookery course in Ireland, and is the new owner of this castle. While she has been away Xanthe has been busy, with some good and some more stressful surprises.  

I felt transported to that castle, I could picture it so clearly, including the treasure hunt (which I had a strong inkling about), and all the decorations.  And I loved all the interactions between Ross and Izzy. Actually I just loved all the characters. 

It's another wonderful romantic escape from an author who combines destinations and food so so well wrapped up with some romance.  Just simply delightful. 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.