When life offers you the chance to dress up in Edwardian finery while gallivanting around a Scottish manor house, most people would call it a dream come true. In Some Like It Scot, Katie Campbell, a professional travel writer and certified disaster magnet, it becomes something far more complex—a journey toward discovering what “home” truly means.
The Heart of the Story: Where Wanderlust Meets Belonging
Pepper Basham’s latest romance, Some Like It Scot, whisks readers away to the mystical Isle of Mull, where an American travel writer with a talent for trouble encounters a brooding Scottish woodworker who’s nursing his own wounds. Katie Campbell has built her career around her spectacular mishaps, earning the moniker “Miss Adventure” through a series of international blunders that have somehow transformed into profitable content. Yet beneath her cheerful exterior lies a woman desperately searching for a place to belong—something her nomadic childhood never provided.
The premise cleverly intertwines Katie’s assignment at Craighill House’s inaugural Edwardian Experience with her unexpected encounter with Graeme MacKerrow, the surly Scot who owns the very manor house she’s inhabiting. What begins as mutual antagonism slowly melts into something deeper, as both characters navigate their shared experiences of grief, family loss, and the courage required to open one’s heart again.
Character Development: Depth Beneath the Humor
Basham excels at creating characters who feel authentically flawed yet utterly loveable. Katie’s clumsiness serves as more than comic relief—it becomes a metaphor for her approach to life, constantly stumbling but always getting back up. Her internal struggle between her wandering lifestyle and her growing attachment to Mull feels genuine and relatable. The author skillfully reveals Katie’s vulnerabilities through her secret writing project—a middle-grade series featuring a confident young adventurer who embodies everything Katie wishes she could be.
Graeme MacKerrow emerges as a wonderfully complex hero, far from the typical grumpy-but-secretly-soft archetype. His grief over his sister’s death, combined with his responsibilities as guardian to his young nephew Lachlan, creates a man who’s built walls not just around his heart, but around his entire life. Basham allows readers to witness his gradual thawing through small moments—the way he notices Katie’s genuine care for Lachlan, her authentic enthusiasm for Scottish culture, and her ability to find joy even in disaster.
Supporting Cast Excellence:
- Lachlan MacKerrow – The eight-year-old nephew serves as more than a plot device, becoming a genuine bridge between the main characters
- Mirren MacKerrow – Graeme’s mother and bookshop owner, whose matchmaking tendencies add warmth and humor
- The Book Club Ladies – A delightful ensemble of local women who embody Scottish hospitality and community spirit
- Mrs. Lennox – The well-meaning but often misguided creator of the Edwardian Experience
Romance Development: Slow Burn with Scottish Charm
The romantic development between Katie and Graeme unfolds with satisfying restraint. Basham avoids the trap of instant attraction transforming into undying love, instead building their relationship through shared experiences, mutual respect, and gradual understanding. Their chemistry crackles through verbal sparring matches, tender moments with Lachlan, and stolen kisses that feel earned rather than obligatory.
The author particularly shines in depicting how both characters must confront their fears about the future. Katie’s terror of settling down wars with her growing love for Mull’s landscape and people, while Graeme struggles with the possibility of loving someone whose life seems fundamentally incompatible with his deep roots in Scottish soil.
Setting as Character: The Magic of Mull
Basham’s portrayal of the Isle of Mull transcends mere backdrop, transforming the Scottish landscape into a living, breathing character that influences every aspect of the story. Her descriptions of rolling green hills, mysterious lochs, and cozy village life create an almost tangible sense of place that makes readers want to book the next flight to Scotland.
The Edwardian Experience provides a delightfully absurd framework for the romance, with its costume mishaps, etiquette lessons, and period-appropriate disasters. While Mrs. Lennox’s venture teeters on the edge of farce, it serves as an effective device for exploring themes of authenticity versus performance, tradition versus progress, and the ways people adapt to change.
Writing Style: Humor with Heart
Basham’s prose sparkles with wit while never losing sight of the emotional core of her story. Her dialogue feels natural and engaging, particularly in capturing the rhythm and charm of Scottish speech without resorting to incomprehensible dialect. The author demonstrates particular skill in balancing humor with deeper themes of grief, belonging, and faith.
The narrative structure, alternating between Katie and Graeme’s perspectives, allows readers to understand both characters’ internal struggles while maintaining romantic tension. Basham’s pacing keeps the story moving briskly without rushing the emotional development that makes the romance feel authentic.
Thematic Depth: More Than Just Romance
Beneath the charming romance lies a thoughtful exploration of belonging and identity. Katie’s journey from rootless wanderer to someone considering putting down roots resonates with anyone who’s struggled to find their place in the world. The book sensitively addresses grief and family loss, showing how both Katie and Graeme have used different coping mechanisms—travel and isolation, respectively—to deal with their pain.
The theme of community versus individualism runs throughout the story, contrasting Katie’s solitary lifestyle with the tight-knit community of Mull. Basham suggests that true belonging isn’t just about place, but about people—finding those who see and accept us completely.
Faith elements weave quietly through the narrative, providing comfort and guidance without overwhelming the romance. The author’s subtle approach to Christian themes feels organic rather than preachy, enhancing rather than detracting from the story’s universal appeal.
Areas for Improvement: Minor Stumbles in Paradise
While “Some Like It Scot” succeeds on multiple levels, a few elements could have been stronger. The Edwardian Experience occasionally feels more like a plot convenience than a fully realized concept, and some secondary characters from the experience remain somewhat underdeveloped. Additionally, while Katie’s clumsiness provides excellent comic relief, it sometimes verges on unbelievable when piled too thickly.
The resolution, while satisfying, arrives somewhat rapidly after a lengthy buildup. Readers might have appreciated more exploration of how Katie and Graeme navigate the practical challenges of merging their very different lifestyles.
Comparison to Basham’s Previous Works
Fans of Basham’s earlier novels will recognize her signature blend of humor, heart, and faith-based themes. “Some Like It Scot” continues the tradition established in books like “Positively, Penelope” and “Loyally, Luke,” offering characters who feel real despite their extraordinary circumstances. This novel shows growth in Basham’s ability to balance comedy with deeper emotional themes, creating a more nuanced reading experience than some of her earlier works.
Similar Reading Recommendations
Readers who enjoy “Some Like It Scot” might also appreciate:
- “The Bride Ship” by Regina Scott – Another romance featuring a strong heroine in an unusual historical setting
- “A Highlander’s Promise” by Amanda Forester – Scottish romance with humor and heart
- “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune – Found family themes and small-town charm
- “Beach Read” by Emily Henry – Contemporary romance with writers as protagonists
- “The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren – Enemies-to-lovers with travel elements
Final Verdict: A Delightful Highland Escape
“Some Like It Scot” delivers exactly what readers expect from Pepper Basham—a heartwarming romance peppered with humor, faith, and genuine emotion. While it may not break new ground in the romance genre, it executes familiar elements with skill and genuine affection for its characters and setting.
The book succeeds because it understands that the best romances aren’t just about two people falling in love, but about two people helping each other become their best selves. Katie and Graeme’s journey toward each other is also a journey toward healing, growth, and the courage to embrace an uncertain but promising future.
For readers seeking an escape to the Scottish Highlands filled with laughter, swoon-worthy romance, and characters who feel like friends, “Some Like It Scot” offers a thoroughly satisfying reading experience. Basham has crafted a story that celebrates both adventure and home, wanderlust and belonging, proving that sometimes the best journeys lead us exactly where we need to be.
- Recommended for: Fans of contemporary Christian romance, Scottish settings, travel narratives, found family themes, and readers who enjoy humor mixed with heart. Perfect for anyone dreaming of Highland adventures or searching for their own place to belong.
