Venetia Oglivie has been brought up to help those less fortunate than herself. Her family, as over the top and dramatic as they are, is of the same mindset. Their latest ‘project’ is Ravenscroft. Venetia never thought he would misconstrue her small kindnesses as a personal interest in him. She only realizes what’s happening when they’re on the North Road – the main way to Gretna Green. He has absconded with her! Under the guise of her mother being ill and requiring Venetia’s aid, he persuaded her to go with him. Now she is in a complete pickle, desirous of rescue. Only, when rescue comes she is quick to wish she hadn’t asked…

Gregor MacLean had expected the day to pass as usual. Going to collect his best friend Venetia for their morning horse ride, he could never have foreseen the chaos he would walk into. The household is in uproar; Venetia is missing. Gregor is quick to set after her, but his own temper has put a huge obstacle in his way. An obstacle that will see Venetia and Gregor kept in close quarters when he finally catches up to her, allowing the subconscious attraction between them to flare to life for the first time in their friendship. Will they give in to it and perhaps find something they never thought to, especially with each other?

With the opening scene, the reader enters chaos and is immediately caught up in the story; from start to finish, every minute is more enjoyable than the last. Karen Hawkins’ To Scotland, With Love is a fun and fabulous tale where lifelong friendship at last turns into something more. By far, I have to say this is my favorite by Ms. Hawkins, and I have read a few of her books. These characters are excellent, completely developed and exceedingly appealing to the reader. Venetia is the odd one out in her dramatic family, being the most sensible, yet she loves them, and they her. They all want to help anyone they consider to be less well off, though they are only on the fringes of the ton themselves. In this, Gregor and his brothers are quite different (speaking of Gregor’s brothers, I will take this opportunity to beg for them to have their own tales, pretty please???). Gregor believes in people standing on their own two feet. He does not go out of his way to help people and considers Venetia’s propensity for doing so her only flaw. Yet, since young children, they have had a steadfast friendship, one that has long ceased to raise eyebrows or draw comments. Secondary characters are all wonderful, added at different intervals to keep the plot full, robust, increasingly fun and Venetia in her element, for they all need her help in some way or another. To Venetia’s mind, at least, though said help may just come back to bite her. The romance between our main pair is truly enjoyable and uplifting, with some love scenes beautifully interwoven into the tale. For a truly remarkable historical romance, nab your copy of Karen Hawkins’s To Scotland, With Love ASAP!

Reviewed by: Elizabeth