Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

It seems I’m reading books this month that put me in the mood for travel. Well, it might actually be a combination of summer and the books I’m reading. The last book I read took me through some streets of NYC, and this one through the picturesque landscapes of Scotland.

When hotel consultant Andrea Sullivan is sent to Scotland on a job, she knows she’s being punished. After all, she’s handled multimillion dollar accounts, so why does her boss insist she handle some spoiled celebrity chef who has set his mind on starting a hotel? Then she meets James MacDonald in the most embarrassing, unprofessional manner and is determined not to let his charm, annoying self confidence, and smooth talk pull her in. James is attracted to Andrea from the moment he lays eyes on her, but the more he learns about her, the more impressed (not to mentioned captivated) he becomes. Both has suffered pain and loss in past relationships. Both have avoided them since. While Andrea put all of her time, focus, and energy into her job, James won’t allow himself to get attached to one woman. But when Andrea comes with him to his beloved home in Scotland, he takes the challenge of making her fall in love with his homeland. While the beauty and majesty of Scotland is easy to fall for, could there be more? Are five days in Skye enough to allow a man and woman to let go of the pain from their past and hope for a future?

The descriptions of Scotland throughout the book are mesmerizing. I felt like I was falling in love with the land along with Andrea. The lochs, the castles, the mountains, even the rain and cold, all sounded so beautiful. Breathtaking and haunting. Old world with centuries of history behind them. Laureno not only nailed the scenery, she also plays on the reader’s emotions with Andrea’s struggles with her past, with letting go and enjoying herself as well as James’s sticky relationship with his brother. If you’re looking to escape to someplace mystical and romantic, consider spending Five Days in Skye. Oh, and even better news, there’s a second book with James’s brother. From the description, it’s set in London. I know what I’ll be reading soon.

***David C. Cook provided me with a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.