Reviewer's Bookshelf: "Under Scottish Stars" by Carla Laureano

Book Summary (Amazon): Recently widowed Serena MacDonald Stewart focuses on her children to the exclusion of her career, her art, and her sanity. When her brothers ask her to oversee the family guest house on the Isle of Skye, it’s a chance to dust off her long-ignored business skills and make a new start. But her hopes for a smooth transition are dashed when the hotel manager, Malcolm Blake, turns out to be irritating, condescending . . . and incredibly attractive.

Malcolm Blake gave up everything—his home, his girlfriend, and his career—to return to Skye and raise his late sister’s teenage daughter. With few job opportunities available on the island, he signs on as the manager of the MacDonald family hotel, which he’s soon running successfully without interference from the owners. That is, until Serena shows up, challenging his authority and his conviction that there’s nothing missing from his new life on Skye.

Before long, Serena and Malcolm have to admit the spark between them is more than mere irritation. But as single parents, there’s more on the line than their own hearts. Will their commitment to family be the thing that draws them together or the only thing that could keep them apart?

My thoughts...The much anticipated third book in Carla Laureano's Isle of Skye novels is here! I really enjoyed Serena and Malcolm's story. I would describe Laureano's style as real life drama with a faith perspective. The characters in this story go through difficulties that many readers can relate to. The romantic tension was great as well, and the characters acknowledged the temptations that come with romantic attraction in a way that still keeps it a clean read. I appreciated that these aspects were written into the story because it's frustrating at times to read characters deal with situations with a less than realistic response. I appreciated the way each main character's backstory complimented the other. Serena is a widow with two young children who has been through a lot of difficult circumstances in her previous life. Malcolm has never been married, but is raising his niece and learning the aspects of fatherhood. Through his experience with his niece, he has learned what it means to sacrifice his own desires for the needs of others, particularly when it comes to the needs of the children in his life. It created a lot of sweet moments in the story that I enjoyed. And last, but not least, the story takes place in Scotland. And the hero is Scottish. Enough said : ). 

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my honest opinions, which I did.**