Mini Review: Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

I want to go to Scotland now! If I didn’t before, after reading Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano, I really want to see some of the castle ruins and the lochs, er lakes, there. Thanks to Carrie for the gushing review and “team James” anecdotes for influencing me to move this one up in my TBR stack. Read on for my take on the story!

Book summary: Hospitality consultant Andrea Sullivan has one last chance to snag a high-profile client or she’ll have to kiss her dreams of promotion good-bye. When she’s sent to meet Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, she just wants to finish her work as efficiently as possible. Yet her client is not the opportunistic womanizer he portrays himself to be, and her attraction to him soon dredges up memories she’d rather leave buried. For James, renovating the family hotel is a fulfillment of his late father’s dreams. When his hired consultant turns out to be beautiful, intelligent, and completely unimpressed by his public persona, he makes it his mission to win her over. He just never expects to fall under her spell.

Soon, both Andrea and James must face the reality that God may have a far different purpose for their lives—and that five days in Skye will forever change their outlook on life and love.

Quote from Andrea and James in Five Days in Skye, via Pinterest. (click through to visit Carla’s Pinterest board for Five Days in Skye)

My thoughts: This book started out fun, light, and entertaining, with undeniable spark between James and Andrea. But, it unexpectedly grew into something deeper. I liked how their first (judgmental) impressions of each other match what the reader first thinks. Then, the reader gets to know then at the same time they learn about each other, revealing depth and flaws in their characters, real struggles with self-worth, faith, and second chances. If you like contemporary romances or dramas — or exploring a bit of the scenery & history Scotland — I’d definitely recommend this one!