ABOUT THE BOOK
Escaping a difficult childhood, unhappy marriage, and dead-end job, Rachel McIntyre has escaped to the tiny Hebridean island of Inniscreag in search of a new beginning.
Taking a job as the manager of the local distillery, she’s just settling into her new life when the elderly, eccentric owner dies, unexpectedly leaving her two-hundred-year-old family legacy in Rachel’s inexperienced hands.
Can she keep the small, community business alive in the face of a takeover attempt from a major multinational corporation? And can she resist the charms of the flirtatious, attractive company lawyer who arrives on the island to persuade her to sell up?
Join Rachel and the quirky inhabitants of Inniscreag – along with a couple of unexpected arrivals – in this funny, heartwarming tale about love, loss, and having the courage to start over.
MY REVIEW
I was pleasantly surprised with this touching and delightful story about a woman finding her way home after loss and heartache.
Scotland has always intrigued me and has been on my bucket list for years. With the author’s beautiful narrative of the rugged island, wildlife, ferry rides, and local haunts, it has only increased my need to visit the country someday.
The characters are so genuine with their fierce protectiveness of each other and their island. Rachel’s story is tragic and painful, but she has made her own niche on Inniscreag as the manager of the local distillery and one can truly feel the love and camaraderie between her and the island natives. Duncan’s struggle with his attraction to Rachel and his job as an employee of the company wanting to buy the distillery is well done and I admire his integrity and determination to make it work with Rachel. Ms. McArthur also does a great job developing supporting characters and giving us a glimpse into their lives as well without detracting from the main story.
There are a lot of engaging things going on in the story, and it flows very well. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. There are a number of serious subjects the author covers such as suicide, divorce, sexuality, and abandonment. The book is also filled with many funny moments with Doug, the cat, the liberated seafood, and Rachel’s matter of fact sense of humor. And there is a bit of romance as well.
Overall, this is a lovely, heartwarming story filled with beautiful scenery, memorable characters, and a sense of community and belonging. Recommend highly!
Thank you to Ms. McArthur for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elsie McArthur is an independent author of women’s fiction. After studying law at university, and then re-training as a primary school teacher, she now lives in the Highlands of Scotland with her husband, two kids, a couple of badly behaved dogs, and a cat with a superiority complex. As well as continuing to work part-time as a teacher, she is now indulging in her first love of writing. Her first book, ‘The Back Up Plan’, was released in January 2020. Her second novel, ‘Love, on the Rocks’ – a tale of love, loss, and starting over, set on the remote Scottish island of Inniscreag – is due for release in Summer 2020.
Follow Elsie on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Goodreads.
