Among the Heather (The Highlands Series #2) by Samantha Young

ABOUT THE BOOK

He’s a disgraced actor. She’s the daughter of Hollywood royalty. Both are hiding in the Scottish Highlands, but despite their antagonistic attraction, they can’t seem to hide from each other…

North Hunter has worked hard to step out of the shadows of his orphaned upbringing into the limelight of Hollywood. He never imagined a dark moment from his childhood returning to destroy everything he’d built. Devastated, he finds comfort in the isolation of an exclusive members-only club in the Scottish Highlands, even if the club comes with a prickly estate manager who sets his blood on fire.

As the eldest daughter of a Hollywood legend, Aria Howard has learned the hard way that people will use her to get to her father. When her last relationship ended badly, Aria fled to Scotland. Running Ardnoch Estate provides distance from a life that has never fit comfortably. But when defamed Scottish actor North Hunter disrupts her sanctuary, Aria is on the defense. The cocky actor is the last thing she needs, and despite their searing attraction, Aria is determined to dislike him.

But one night of drunken forced proximity with North leads Aria to share insecurities seeded by her horrible ex. When North offers to prove her ex wrong by taking Aria to his bed for a no-strings distraction, they begin an affair neither expected. However, their fiery liaison leads to a deep emotional connection that unsettles them both, and North will have to break down more than Aria’s trust issues if they’re ever to have a future together. He’ll need to protect her from a past that just doesn’t want to stay buried… or lose something far more essential to his existence than his career.

MY REVIEW

This is the second book in Samantha Young’s Highlands Series about a Scottish actor North and estate manager Aria. Right from the start, you can feel the intense attraction sizzling between them. But of course, there’s always a catch. Aria’s trust issues with actors make her keep a pretty big wall up, resulting in some tense moments. Watching them navigate their connection makes for a captivating read.

Aria is a hospitality manager of a private club in the Highlands reserved for the elite of Hollywood. With her undeniable aura of assertiveness and tenacity, she is well-respected at her job. But behind all that confidence there lies a tangled web of self-doubt, insecurities, and a past filled with betrayal.

North is a charming yet tortured man who chooses the Highlands as his hideout hoping to shield himself from the prying eyes of Hollywood and his tragic past. However, what he didn’t anticipate was crossing paths with Aria, a woman who holds a strong disdain for him because he embodies everything she’s trying to escape.

Aria and North’s relationship is a push and pull that kept me on the edge of my seat. Aria’s animosity is palpable, and it’s such a delight to watch as she navigates her feelings. It’s refreshing to see a female protagonist who resists a “serious relationship”, while North finds himself yearning for something real.

I really enjoyed this book. However, I couldn’t bring myself to add it to my favorites because falling in love while facing two different threats is a bit hard to swallow. Having one stalker is believable. Having two is far-fetched.

Don’t get me wrong, this book is filled with all the comfort and charm that comes with a Samantha Young read and her ability to weave emotions and relationships keeps me hooked.

Overall, Among the Heather captured my heart not just because of the stunning backdrop and expressive characters, but also due to the real struggles they face beyond the unlikely threats. So grab a cup of your favorite joe and dive into this enchanting tale.

Highlands Series

1 Beyond the Thistles (2023) – My review
2 Among the Heather (2023)
3 Through the Glen (2024)
4 Skies Over Caledonia (2024)
5 Northern Twilight (2024)
6 Forever the Highlands (2024)
7 A Highland Christmas (2024)

BUY THE BOOK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Samantha is a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, #1 Amazon bestselling author, and a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee. Samantha has written over 60 books and is published in 31 countries. She writes emotional and angsty romance, often set where she resides—in her beloved home country Scotland. Samantha splits her time between her family, writing and chasing after two very mischievous cavoodles.