Beyond the Thistles

The Highlands Series, Book 1

By: Samantha Young

Narrated by: Shane East, Stella Hunter

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.

©2023 Samantha Young (P)2023 Samantha Young

Loved this grumpy sunshine romance

I was provided an audible code of this book via the author and Valentine PR, all opinions are my own.

The narrators did a wonderful job bringing Sloane and Walker to life.

This is a a new spinoff series to the Adair Family series. This reads as a standalone, however we are first introduced to Walker and Sloane in Only You. If you want to get to know Brodan, Monroe, and the rest of the Adair family I highly recommend checking out the books in that series.

This follows Walker and Sloane, and if you have read Only You it is no surprise that they are the next couple featured in Young's romance set at Ardnoch Estate and the charming Scottish Highlands. Walker has been friends and bodyguard to Brodan Adair for many years, so when Brodan settles back at home Walker takes a position at the exclusive members only estate as part of the security team. Sloane has recently relocated to Scotland, but no one knows why except the new hospitality manager. Sloane is bubbly and vibrant as well as a talented home baker. She is the exact opposite of the broody bodyguard. There is no denying the chemistry between the two of them, but they both have secrets that are keeping them apart. When Sloane's past comes to Ardnoch, Walker steps in to make sure she and her daughter are protected. As they spend more time together the lines between professional and personal feelings begin to blur and they both will have to face the demons from their past.

I really loved Walker and Sloane. Sloane didn't let her trauma impact her ability to live her life. She was terrified and always trying to keep her child safe, but she was always fighting. Walker was a little bit of a caveman, but as Callie Sloane's daughter says he's like a Mento hard on the outside and soft on the inside. I loved that comparison! We learn Sloane's backstory fairly early on, but Walker's takes quite a while to reveal itself. Both of their stories are heartbreaking. I thought their character and relationship development was done really well.

If you are a fan of the Adair Family series this is a must read. It has a good level of spice and a nice suspense element to add to the romance. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. I think I know who the next couple is going to be and I'm curious to see where their story takes us.

Wonderful story with great narration

Another wonderful trip to Ardnoch Estate in the Scottish Highlands and this time it’s single mum Sloane Harrow and Walker Ironside’s captivating journey. From the moment I picked this book up I knew it was going to be a very special read and I wasn’t disappointed, this story was everything I expected and so much more.
The narration team of Shane East and Stella Hunter did a wonderful job bring the characters and their story to life. They hit every emotion and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Walker works at Arnoch Estate and he loves his life, he isn’t looking for love especially with a younger single mum who world revolves around her daughter Callie. But fate works in mysterious ways and it seems these two are destined to be together if they can get past Sloane’s past.
Sloane has a past she is hiding because of the danger her ex could put them all in so what happens when the past comes back to haunt her and will Walker be able to protect her and her daughter……
This romantic suspense ticked all my boxes, I adored the characters and I loved watching Sloane bring sunshine into grumpy Walker’s life.

Swoon worthy

Loved the characters, and the performance. Such a wonderful story that will stay with me for a long time!

Fabulous

This was absolutely amazing! Love this book and the audio! Love the spice and the story so much!

Absolutely excellent!!

Guys Samantha Young is an excellent writer, Shane East is the sexiest voice actor - my heart can barely keep up with his growling Scottish brogue. 🥵 and Stella is flawless, no notes.

Meanwhile, Sloane and Walker are fantastic, their dynamic is real and their motivations feel realistic. The plot is thick, exciting, and, as someone who behaves like an obnoxious Goldilocks of romance suspense, this book was just right.

Great storyline

Shane East never disappoints this story was very good kept you wanting to read the next chapter
A hard to put down kinda book

Loved it!

The story was really captivating. It was funny, intriguing, spicy, and heartwarming.
Listening to Stella Hunter and Shane East again is just absolutely perfect. I love the way their voices compliment one another’s.
And both of their Scottish accents were amazing!

Great story

I loved this story… but only 4 stars for performance because Shane Easts Irish brogue or Scottish brogue or whatever was very very hard to understand. Perfect spice, intrigue, good characters! Can’t wait to read Book 2

Romantic Suspense, Bodyguard, Single Mom

This is one of those books that I knew I would like and I was right! I really enjoyed this book. It is a romantic suspense that takes place in Scotland. I love Scotland and the Scottish accent so the audiobook was great for me.
The heroine, Sloane, is a single mom who fled to Scotland after a bad situation with the father of her baby. She is now working as a housekeeper for a members-only haven for famous people who need some peace. The hero, Walker, is a grumpy and broody bodyguard for one of the owners of the club.
When Sloane's past catches up to her Walker ends up taking over keeping her safe.
I loved the setting of this book and the story kept me entranced the whole way. I will definitely be picking up book 2.

Such a great book!

I really enjoyed this love story. It had every thing you would want in a grumpy sunshine trope. The performers did an awesome job narrating, it will truly take you away from reality.