Five Days in Skye: A Novel (The MacDonald Family Trilogy)

Enjoyed reading a fun book set in Scotland

I had seen this book on so many "swoony hero" lists that I had to read it for myself. James lived up to his billing. Andrea and James get off to a rather bad start when they meet in a bar and she doesn't recognize him as the celebrity chef she is to meet with the next day in Scotland. She is a hospitality consultant for a firm in New York and he is wanting to refurbish and reopen his family's hotel on Skye. James has great fun flirting with her so she assumes his playboy image is correct. As she struggles to maintain a business only relationship with him, she finds there are many layers under his perfect exterior. She meets his family: his aunt who helped raise them, his brother, Ian, and sister, Serena and her two young children. Andrea and James both have built walls around their hearts to protect themselves after past hurts and are not looking for a serious relationship, especially in the short amount of time they have to be together. I'm hoping there will be more of James and Andrea in books two and three of this series, though they focus more on Ian and Serena. Romance readers will enjoy Five Days in Skye.

Good book! Looking forward to reading the next installment

Having heard such rave reviews of Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano from fellow bloggers, I had to see what the hype is.

I was emotionally swept away to the Scottish Highlands. The vivid scenery as described in Carla's prose had me hooked onto the setting. Her characters, from James (we'll get back to him), Andrea, Ian, Serena and Muriel felt close and endearing. James and Andrea had different ideas to what their dreams were, while their spiritual and emotional chords are both wounded and doubtful at times. As they approach their lives and their dreams, their journey to healing their hearts may very well bring them more than what they expect. I love the theme of restoration, not only the physical aspect of the hotel, but their spirits as well. That parallel won't be lost on readers, and the message of the kind of brokenness only God can heal.

Now onto James. Charming is an understatement. That man is oozing with charisma, roguish smirks and a handsome face. And lets not forget a man that can cite some pretty classic Cary Grant movies knows romance. *sigh. Andrea is smart, sassy and uptight, but in a way I relate and love. I love the flaws of these characters, and by the end of the novel, we truly see their development individually and collectively. The funny moments will have you laugh out loud, the tender moments, a sigh escapes before you knew, and the moments you find yourself in awe with the wisdom exhibited, you are stunned silent. Five days, it may seem short, but it's written so richly and insightful, I came away for the better. And I think you will too.

“We’re all broken. We’re only human. Some wounds only God can mend.” (267)
So let Him.

This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

I purchased this book strictly because of the title. I recently had the opportunity to visit the Isle of Skye, and I couldn't resist a book set in that amazing location. As I read this book, I felt like I was back in Scotland again. I love all of the local flavor that was included in the novel!

Five Days in Skye is the worst kind of book for me to review. It held plenty of promise--a couple finding romance, resolution, and faith in God in the Scottish highlands. However, I was told a story, not shown anything. This may be because the book was written in first person, but I have read other first person books with much more to sink my teeth into. I also felt the two main characters, particularly Andrea, were stereotypical--the uptight businesswoman vs. the sanguine chef who likes to bend rules. There is nothing wrong with either characterization if they're done well and given new angles, but these were not. I stuck with Five Days in Skye hoping it would improve, but sadly, that did not happen. I'm still considering whether to continue reading Carla Laureano's work. I do hope she keeps writing and improves, because she does have strong foundations for her stories.

Carla Laureano is really good at building multi-layered characters. Her story-telling is subtle and gives the reader a realistic grasp of who people are underneath the surface. Andrea and James have both been exposed to faith in their lives, but walked away. Who can’t relate to that? We’ve all had a crisis of faith, and that has either made us bitter toward God, or helped us to embrace Him. The story arc takes you into their struggles, Andrea with her climb on the corporate ladder and James with his efforts to build his image. They ask genuine questions about life and in turn learn to surrender their own brokenness to the only One who can make them whole.

Five Days in Skye is a good read and, for a visual learner like me, provides picturesque backdrop in the beautiful countryside of Scotland. It’s not area I ever thought I would be drawn to, but now, after seeing it through James and Andrea’s eyes, would love to visit. Well done, Carla Laureano!

Note: I received this book as part of the Five Days in Skye blog tour from Radiant Lit. I received no compensation for this review and only received a copy of the book for review purposes.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Hopelessly romantic! "Five Days in Skye" was mesmerizing; engaging, entangling, enthralling; weaving a love between two broken individuals who struggled valiantly to shed their past, while courageously tip toeing towards their future. Incredibly, this love story was conceived and delivered within five days; five days in possibly one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth; the Isle of Skye. What were the chances that it could survive?

Andrea Sullivan, hospitality consultant, is pursuing a signed contract. James MacDonald, world-renowned chef and restaurateur, is innocently flirting with a beautiful woman. When the two travel to Scotland's island of paradise to review the renovation of a MacDonald family property, Andrea's New York City lifestyle comes to a screeching halt. James is quite outspoken about the fact that he can persuade Andrea to fall in love with the lush countryside, the magnificent sunrises, the succulent menus, and the majestic castles, but something much deeper innocently transpires. Lovely, witty, and tear filled conversations comprise the brilliance of this story; the characters have time to become known, all their flaws, all their pain, all their dreams; all come crashing together upon the shores of a love that has the potential to become forever.

Carla Laureano has proven herself to be a writer of significance with just one story, "Five Days in Skye"!

This genre isn't usually my preferred choice. I don't usually read contemporary romances, so I expected cheesy, sappy, anguishing scenes to suffer reading through. But this book wasn’t like that at all. In fact, I found myself enjoying the story and wanting to know how it all turns out.

The plot was good. I liked the mysterious, hidden pasts of both of the main characters. The characters feel real—especially because of the hurts from their pasts. Their actions and personalities are believable to explain logically why they are who they are because of this or that event from their past.

My favorite thing about the book was the setting. Talk about swoon-worthy. Where’s my Scottish love story? I love the descriptions of the Scottish sites. Though I’ve never been there, it made me feel like Scotland was portrayed with an expert’s eye. This of course also made my longing to adventure to Scotland grow exponentially. Plus, I was able to picture James as David Tennant, which was just wonderful.

Other strong points: this book showed that there’s no need for sex to make a steamy, passionate love scene or that easy sex or fast-moving relationships are necessary to find love today. I also loved the inclusion of Andrea’s sister Becky. I like when siblings have strong, stable relationships and Becky definitely provided a solid rock for Andrea to lean on and learn from.

My only iffy moments with the story was the five day time span. I know the book is fiction and supposed to be kind of magical (because of the Scottish backdrop), but it feels a bit soon to fall head over heels in love with someone after five days. But I guess that’s the point of the story, whether I like it or believe it or not. Maybe it’d be better if it was “possible future love at first sight” instead.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. For someone who isn’t into Christian romances, I think there will be many people who will enjoy this story. If anybody is looking for a pleasant love story with a beautiful Scottish setting, this book is for them.

*I received this book as part of the Five Days in Skye blog tour from Radiant Lit. I received no compensation for this review and only received a copy of the book for review purposes. Review copy provided by the publisher.*