Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

"When friends meet, hearts warm."

Scottish saying

Cousins Nora and Allie are bound by a friendship that feels more like sisterhood, so when their Gran asks them to travel to Scotland on her behalf to claim an unexpected inheritance and unearth her old diary, they jump at this chance for the trip of a lifetime together.

When they arrive in Gran's childhood village, they run into roadblocks but use the delayed schedule to experience the beauty of Scotland. Over shortbread from the local bakery and a boat ride on Loch Lomond, through exploration of ancestral castles and autumn highlands, they wonder what God wants to teach them in this land of mist and heather.

Though they revel in their time together abroad, they find they've brought more baggage than just their suitcases. While Allie fears she may have to leave early to deal with issues back home, Nora struggles to understand all the unknowns before her. What is it about Scotland that keeps drawing her to this unfamiliar place?

As the truth of Gran's past comes to light, Allie and Nora must make weighty decisions. Will they learn to rely on the creative purposes of God, even if it means their lives will never be the same?

On this armchair trek to Scotland, Robin Jones Gunn takes readers on a journey of faith, friendship, and family. Themes of European travel, midlife adventures, and unexpected secrets make this inspirational women's fiction a perfect selection for Christian book clubs.

The Author

ROBIN JONES GUNN is the best-selling author of over 100 books, including the timeless Christy Miller series for teens. The characters continue in Christy & Todd: The College Years, The Married Years, The Baby Years and Haven Maker series.

Her multi-award-winning Christian fiction includes the Glenbrooke, Sisterchicks and Suitcase Sisters series. Four of her novels have been made into Hallmark Christmas movies. The Father Christmas movies broke records for the network by becoming the most watched and highest rated movies in 2016 and 2017.

Robin's popular non-fiction includes, "Victim of Grace" along with "Before You Meet Your Future Husband" and "Praying for Your Future Husband" both co-authored with Tricia Goyer. Her acclaimed gift book, "By the Sea" is a fan favorite.

Robin speaks at international and local events. She and her husband have two grown children and live in California where she co-hosts the "Women Worth Knowing" podcast with Cheryl Brodersen.

Book Review

It's time to pack your bags for the next book in the Suitcase Sisters series. This time, we're heading to Scotland with cousins Nora and Allie as they set out to find and return their grandmother's old diary... and discover a whole more than they'd expected in the old library. I don't know what it is about a Scottish setting that will draw me in every time, but it absolutely does. Throw in some bookish discoveries and there was really a lot to love about this one. Honestly, I don't read a lot of women's fiction, but there is something really beautiful about stories like this that focus on friendship and family that makes me think I should reach for them more often. If you like books that will take you on a grand adventure, this is a book and series not to be missed. 

Shortbread in the Highlands is the third book in the Suitcase Sisters series but could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4tueqKp