Book Review: Beyond the Thistles

Title - Beyond the Thistles  

Author - Samantha Young  

Genre - Contemporary, Romantic Suspense 

Series - The Highland Series #1

Format - Ebook Kindle Unlimited  

Published - May 1st 2023 

Buy it on (Amazon) 

Add to your shelf (Goodreads)

Synopsis

He's a brooding bodyguard. She's a single mom on the run. And in a town this small, they can't hide from their fierce attraction...

It’s been a long time since Walker Ironside left behind Scotland and the memories that haunt him. Yet after years of traveling the world as a bodyguard, Walker misses his homeland enough to return. To a village in the Scottish Highlands that plays host to an exclusive members-only club, Ardnoch Estate. If not happy, Walker is content working with the elite security at the club and maintaining his bachelor lifestyle. What he doesn’t need is distraction in the form of the enticing but too-young newcomer, single mother Sloane Harrow.

Sloane never imagined she’d get pregnant at sixteen. Or that a decade later she’d escape from California with her daughter, Callie, to start over in the Scottish Highlands. Hidden and safe from Callie’s dangerous father, Sloane is satisfied with their new lives. Her daughter is happy. Sloane has a stable job, a quaint cottage, a passion for baking that might just be turning into a business, and a huge crush on brooding security guard Walker Ironside. Unfortunately, the grumpy Scot seems immune to Sloane’s charm, but she can’t help but try to seduce him with cupcakes and baked treats whenever the opportunity arises.

However, when someone arrives in Ardnoch intent on destroying Sloane’s life, Walker is the first to step forward to protect her and Callie. Even if it means giving into temptation and awakening his own demons. Because in doing so, Walker faces failing not only to shield Sloane from her past, but to safeguard her against his own.

Review 

Sloan never expected her life to take spiral in this direction but she finds herself a single mother living in Scotland after fleeing half way around the world from her ex. She's done everything she can to survive and life is simple in the small village. Almost everything as she's been crushing on the broody security guard Walker who doesn't even act like he sees her. What happens when her past comes back to get her and she finds herself in Walkers arms. 

First off can we take a moment to admire just how beautiful the cover is! I love Sloan she's smart bakes and willing to do anything for her daughter even moving around the world to start a new life. I just loved Sloan she just such a sweetheart and I just adore her character so much. Walker is just the perfect swoon worthy hero. I love that we get a dual POV so I was able to really connect with Walker as well. I love the chemistry between the two it's steamy. 

Beyond the Thistles is a fast paced action packed steamy romance that captures the heart as well as well as my imagination. I ended up devouring it in just 2 reading session and if real life hadn't gotten in the way I would have finished it in one. I loved Beyond the Thistles it's beautifully written emotional story that had me crying tears for the pasts that shaped the characters into who they are. 

I'm a huge fan of Samantha Young and have been reading her books since the beginning. She blew this one out of the park! The characters are lovely I connected with them both and the story is a perfect balance of plot and steamy. I hate to admit that it may have knocked On Dublin Street as my favorite of her books. I so in love with her style of storytelling every book I've read is amazing. I can't wait to start the next one in this series because I know it's going to be wonderful. Beyond the Thistles is in my top 10 for 2023. Highly recommend for all fans of romance.