Today’s team book review comes from Barb, she blogs at http://barbtaub.com/
Barb has been reading Scotch On The Rocks by Lizzie Lamb
My Review: 5 stars out of 5
When I want to read a good romance, it simply makes sense to reach for one of Lizzie Lamb’s books. Not only are her heroines strong, snarky women, her heroes appropriately gorgeous and misguided, but… Scotland!
Since moving to Scotland, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty, color, and rugged appeal of the country. (Yes…the scenery. What did you think I was talking about? Oh. Well…that too!) So Lizzie’s books full of kilts and bagpipes and whisky are incredibly fun.
Her latest release, Scotch on the Rocks, certainly doesn’t disappoint. From heroine Issy’s first exhilarating dash across a fast-flooding causeway to reach her island home, the pace and story never falter. And how could it? The author subtly channels Emma, one of trope-defining Miss Austen’s most enchanting characters. Like Emma, strangers might have said Issy was “handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence…” (Emma by Jane Austen, 1815) As Emma might have done had she lived now, Issy had a successful career as an interior designer, her success due to her matchmaking abilities to produce dream interiors for her delighted clients.
Unlike Emma, however, as Issy flees back to her home with her father’s ashes strapped into her backseat, she is escaping a life whose appearances never matched reality. Her dysfunctional family—the rich father and famous mother who left her with neither love nor any of their wealth—her cheating fiance, even her job were left behind as Issy heads back to the only love and home she’s ever known, her Aunt Esme and her beloved Cormorant Island off the coast of Scotland.
Like Emma, Issy is bright, strong-willed, and painfully clueless. She has no concept of how to treat her attraction to and distrust of Brodie, no idea what secrets those around her hold.
“She felt as if she’d fallen asleep during a blockbuster movie, and had woken to find that she’d missed a pivotal scene; the one where the hero gets the girl, or the murderer is revealed. The scene which explains what the movie is really about. ‘Why are you all looking at me like that? Anyone want to tell me what’s going on?’”
If you’ve ever lived in a small village—and especially if you haven’t!—I think you’ll enjoy the way everyone casually assumes ownership rights to everyone else’s business. Chief among them is the adorable Lindy, whose drive to escape her island heritage has her showing up in completely different persona almost every day.
Poor Issy is often lost among the strong personalities around her. And, more often than not, she acts first and regrets her actions later. In another homage to Emma, she is then left to berate herself with an update of Mr. Knightley’s famous line— “Badly done, Ishabel Stuart. Badly done.”
Author Lizzie Lamb’s gift for dialog lets the reader hear the lilt of Scottish voices without overwhelming us with over concentration on syntax and grammar. I absolutely loved hearing the phrases I hear around me here in Glasgow, where a woman is affectionately called hen, everything from the dog to the chippy shop is wee, and health is toasted with a slainte mhath. And who wouldn’t love a heilan’ coo (Highland Cow)?
Of course, for American readers, it also holds a few surprises. For example, I was laughing out loud at Issy’s plans to renovate “outhouses” into artists studios. (My fellow Americans are used to picturing outhouses as Appalachian one-holer conveniences, perhaps with a little moon-shaped window cut into the door.) Or the way All-American Brodie’s university degree mentions taking a “first degree”, which is certainly not available from an American university.
For the beautiful pacing, character development, and that all-important HEA, I would give Scotch On The Rocks 5 out of 5 stars and would be the first in line to pick up any future books by this accomplished author.
Buy Links:
Scotch On The Rocks has been shortlisted for the Exeter Novel prize.
Reblogged this on Judith Barrow.
LikeLike
Living in a small village I can relate to ” the way everyone casually assumes ownership rights to everyone else’s business.”. This is a tempting review, Barb. Thanks
LikeLike
Many thanks to Rosie for featuring Barb’s review on your wonderful site. A nice shout out on the most romantic day of the year.
LikeLike
A brilliant review to match a fabulous Valentine’s Day read!
Thank you Barb and Lizzie.
LikeLike
Thank you, June.I hope you’re having a suitably romantic day and inspired to get lots of words down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely loved this book…a great read…
LikeLike
Thanks, Jo, it couldn’t be posted on a better day. Thanks to Rosie and her fabulous team.
LikeLike
Thanks, Barb. It sounds like a great read for sure. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for commenting, Olga.
LikeLike
Sounds fascinating. I used to live in a small town, but was too young to understand the grown up stuff (gossip) going on around me but I was aware of it.
LikeLike
Thank you for commenting. I live in a big city and I’m more than happy with anonymity. However I am intrigued by the thought of living in a small community where everyone knows your business.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I live in a big city now too and appreciate the anonymity. Though neighbors in small towns watch your every move and gossip about you or your habits, they always manage to be there when / if you need help. 😛
LikeLike
Very True Tess.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another wonderful review for Lizzie Lamb’s book! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Linda 👍🏼
LikeLike
Oh, dear! Yet another one for my wish list! It sounds terrific.
LikeLike
I hope you do take the opportunity to buy my book Cici 😉. If you do let me know what you thought of it.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on New Romantics Press and commented:
Thank you Rosie for blogging Barb’s great review 😍
LikeLike
Lovely review!
LikeLike
Thank you Carol, so kind of you to comment !!
LikeLike