Book Review - Surprises on the Scottish Isle by Lilac Mills

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Title: Surprises on the Scottish Isle

Author: Lilac Mills

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Canelo

Publication Date: 23rd January 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Will they get a second chance at first love?

When newly divorced Tara McTaigh spots an advert for a studio to let in Coorie Castle's craft centre, she packs up her Edinburgh life and moves to the Isle of Skye, eager for a fresh start.

Little does she know that the castle’s estate manager, single dad Calan Fraser, is the man who broke her heart back at university.

Thoroughly done with romance, Tara decides to ignore Cal and focus on building her business – creating dollhouses to commission. But Duncoorie is a small community, and the two keep bumping into each other…

Just as she is starting to open her heart once more to Cal, a change in his life puts everything on the line. When a surprise storm threatens Tara's safety, will Cal realise in time that love is worth the risk?

An uplifting and feel-good crafty romance for fans of Holly Martin, Sue Moorcroft and Julie Shackman.

I felt totally at home in this story right from the start. It just had such a lovely feel to it especially once we get to Coorie Castle and the craft centre. 

I'm excited to learn that this is the first book in a series set at the craft centre. 

Easily one of my favourite characters was Bonnie, Cal's daughter. She is inquisitive, and loved by all the crafters, and is going through a bit of a tough time at the moment adjusting to various changes. 

I loved the descriptions of the dollhouses that Tara makes, they were exquisite and the first commission she takes on from the craft centre was a hilarious conversation to observe.  The loch the castle is on sounded very picturesque and Cal and Tara certainly seemed to enjoy taking a boat out onto it. 

There is a lovely community at Duncoorie Castle and Tara fits in right away, and seeing how her reactions to Cal (her long lost first love) change was enjoyable to see. 

I really enjoyed every word of this book which i whizzed through thoroughly enjoying the story. And the more books that I'm reading on the Isle of Skye, the more I think I should potentially add it to my list of places to actually visit, as it once again sounds like a gorgeous place to live (in summer at least). 

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