Half-Light Harbor (Scottish Isles #1) by Samantha Young

ABOUT THE BOOK

I went to Scotland looking for answers about my past. The last thing I expected was getting trapped on a private island with my stoic, brooding, gorgeous contractor.

Ramsay McRae is a man with secrets. He prefers the company of his dog to people and silence to any semblance of politeness. He says I’m too young, too sweet, too innocent.

Only he doesn’t know the truth. That I’m haunted by a crime that tore my life apart two years ago. I’ve come to Half-Light Harbor not just to start over, but to bring the monster who killed my parents to justice.

The last thing I need is a tortured Scot distracting me from my mission. But when his restraint snaps and my walls crumble, the results are explosive.

We say it’s only a no-strings-attached affair. A temporary moment to burn out this fire between us.

However, when my search for the truth brings danger to my door, it’s Ramsay stepping in to protect me. But it might be the secrets from his past that tear us apart forever…

MY REVIEW

Samantha Young does it again with a new start to a captivating series in Scotland.

After the tragic loss of her parents, Tierney seeks solace and answers in a quaint B&B in Scotland. But small towns often harbor their own secrets, and as Tierney digs into the mystery of her parents’ deaths, she quickly finds herself entangled in the life of the hot, grumpy, impenetrable Ramsay McRae.

Tierney is a strong, determined woman who knows what she wants. Her bravery and her unwillingness to let danger deter her are inspiring. She is kind and makes friends easily, which makes her relatable and real.

Ramsey is shrouded in mystery, with a dark past of his own. He may not say much, but his presence speaks volumes. He is also everything you want in a romantic interest: fiercely loyal, protective, an adorable dog owner, and harboring his own deep-seated secrets.

Tierney and Ramsey’s chemistry is electric, and the push-and-pull dynamic of their relationship is absolutely breathtaking. When they finally do give in—oh boy!

What I love about the story is how it is driven equally by the romance and an eerie sense of threat. Samantha Young excels at slowly unraveling the suspenseful layers of Tierney’s and Ramsey’s backstories, including the unanswered questions about Tierney’s parents and Ramsey’s mysterious connections around the world. The tension Young builds is palpable, making it impossible not to turn the pages.

If you’re a fan of romance intertwined with mystery and excellent character development, this story is for you. I can’t wait to see where Young takes us from here in what promises to be an exciting new series.

Thank you to Ms. Young for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Scottish Isles Series

1 Half-Light Harbor (2025)
2 Drifting Dawn (2026)
3 Twilight Tides (2026)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries. She resides in Scotland.