Highland Fling (Flying into Love #6) (2024)

Oh my gosh, so great! Each of the novels in C.F. White's standalone Flying into Love series has been wonderful, and you can read them in any order. And I thoroughly enjoyed their latest one, Highland Fling!

If you're a fan of those cooking reality shows (like I am) you're going to adore C.F. White's Highland Fling! White captures all of the fun of the whole elimination thing as the time ticks by, plus establishes amazing heat and chemistry between the main characters. Then they throw in marvelous descriptions of the east coast Scottish highlands and the charming folks who live there.

C.F. White writes gorgeous physical romance scenes, and once these two guys get together the steam was literally flying off my Kindle! Add in the entriguing family drama, the stories of the guys' past loves, and the interactions with the rest of the kitchen / hotel staff... it all adds up to an un-put-downable, thrilling read.

There were so many ways Ewan and Dean's story could have ended, and it was fun trying to guess as the story went on. I was completely satisfied with the way White chose to spin this conclusion. It was very satisfying and I loved every minute of C.F. White's Highland Fling.

an arc of Highland Fling was generously provided by the author at my request for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

Ewan & Dean
Rating: 3.0 ⭐

- Cooking Competition
- British/Scottish MCs
- Former Pro Footballer (Soccer)
- Age Gap
- Forbidden Love
- Found Family

I'm having a hard time with this one because there's a lot to like about the story but it's overshadowed by Dean's ex, Gaz. I wanted to punch both of the MCs on several occasions for how they let their ex's dictate their futures, just ugh. They both have ex baggage but I just could not with the fact that Gaz is in every single one of Dean's freaking chapters, come on give me a break. I understand that they were together for 12 years and were each others first everything but Gaz cheated on Dean repeatedly, REPEATEDLY, and Dean kept forgiving him until he finally said no more. Unfortunately, their lives are still really tied together and they see each other all the time. Dean kept monologuing on his memories of being with Gaz, Gaz kept calling/texting him, he kept calling him babe, comparing him to Ewan, and if he hears Gaz's voice in his head one more time saying "Can't fight desire, babe", which was his excuse, I may gag for real!!!!

Past my ranting above, I liked the main plot, all the characters except for Gaz, and the way scenery was described throughout. Ewan has been a shell of himself ever since his ex partner left him. There's more to that after him leaving but it would be a spoiler. Ewan is drowning in his grief and sorrow and is ready to break free from his dream that he built from the ground up in order to explore the world, like his ex had wanted from him. He has decided to hold a contest with talented chefs to see who will takeover for him in his castle restaurant. The applicants don't know that they will be taking over, they think they are competing to work under Ewan and learn from him. Dean had an alcohol problem that he fought on and off ever since his injury took him out of pro football. One night, while drunk, because he just caught Gaz cheating AGAIN, he applies for this contest in Scotland. Well, he gets in and makes it to the rounds on the castle grounds, the top 20 chefs. This is a huge opportunity for him since he is self-taught and learned from working in his parents café, not in culinary school or under major chefs watchful eyes. He feels like a fraud being picked but he also knows who this opportunity would change his and his family's life.

These two have an instant attraction and neither of them know how to handle it. Dean knows he should keep his head in the game and not crush on the head chef but he can't help it and is open to Ewan getting closer to him. Ewan has to stay professional since he is the one choosing the candidates that stay and go throughout the competition and doesn't want to show favor to Dean. Dean earns his spot in the group though and shows them that he really knows what he's doing and is stiff competition for the coveted spot. These two eventually fail at staying their distance and start a secret affair during the competition. They are actually cute together and say the sweetest things to the other. Both men see the other for who they really are, not just their titles and achievements/failures. They had some sweet moments together, especially during their long weekend alone. Of course, there's a third act breakup that runs me up a wall and could've been avoided with communication. Also, 6 MONTHS apart was harsh but I understood why they both needed the time to grow and be ready for each other fully.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Verse: No
HEA: Yes

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

The Flying into Love series offers a fun setting of men flying to different locations to find love. I find myself looking forward to the different locations as much as the different romances. This book features Dean, a former professional athlete turned chef, and Ewan, a chef/owner of Michelin-rated property. Ewan puts a call out and, while the contestants think they are competing for a space in Ewan’s kitchen, they are actually competing to take over the kitchen as Ewan steps away from being the head chef.

The setting and culinary aspects added to the overall charm and this story offers a nice break from reality. The series will continue with the next destination being Greece and I look forward to following more characters as they fly into love.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

A cooking competition for a job in Executive Chef and owner, Ewan Grant's kitchen turns steamy when Dean Fraser goes off menu with the reclusive chef... and it's chef kiss amazing!

I loved the twists, the turns, the snark and the steam! I also love the compassion that both men exhibit, the family connections and the twists and turns this relationship takes. I also truly love the ending, but you'll have to read the book to see why... no spoilers here!

This book can easily be read standalone, but I've loved all of the Flying into Love books so I suggest you dig in. They can be read in any order though, as they are not interconnected stories.

Originally I Was in it for the Cooking

I was expecting a.light, one-dimensional romo. Instead, I got fully realised characters, an unexpected family situation, A bad ex who was more than I expected, and a tortured Scot whose basis for suffering turned out to be deeply reasonable. And cooking, there was lots of cooking 😏. My opinion? I'm getting more C.F. White!

Dean & Ewan

I'm rounding this up from 4.5. I absolutely loved Dean and Ewan's story. It had me hooked from the start. I just could not get enough of them together.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

Highland Fling is the sixth book in the ‘Flying into Love’ series. This stars Dean Fraser, an aspiring chef, and Ewan Grant, Executive Chef of Castle Largleith. This is told in third person from Dean and Ewan’s povs.

I’ve read all the books in this series except for one, and I have to say the author’s writing skills have kept on improving. The author is exceptionally talented at pulling me into the settings and countries that are specific for each story. I felt submerged into the atmosphere of the castle in Scotland, and at Dean’s home town near the ocean.

Having talked about location and setting, I want to talk about the cover for a bit. For me, the cover is part of the presentation of the story. Like the presentation of a fine dinner, so I always rate the cover along with the writing. I’m guessing the cover model is Ewan, with Ewan’s cottage and the Scottish hills behind him. I don’t feel the cover is true to the story. Ewan is described as having auburn/copper hair. He has brown hair on the cover, not in the reddish realm at all. He also looks like he’s mid-thirties to maybe forty years old. We find out he’s forty-eight in the story. The cover model is far younger than the character. The graphic artist should have left wrinkles on his face to signify age and made Ewan’s hair redder. Also, why are the pine trees in the background brown and red? The only time I’ve seen evergreens brown or red is when they’ve died or were diseased. Are all the trees near the castle diseased or dying? Maybe it’s too convey Ewan’s red hair, but it totally missed the mark. I’m disappointed the cover artist didn’t portray the story as well as they could have. Correcting the colors of hair and trees would fix a lot of what doesn’t work on this cover.

The blurb does a good job of describing the plot so I won’t rehash it.

Each book I’ve read by this author has gotten better and better. This story sucked me in immediately. The environment was so real and vivid. It makes me wonder if the author spends a lot of time in the places they write about because it feels like it. I’m probably not remembering correctly, but it felt like some of the places and areas where Dean lived or visited may have appeared in other books.

The author did a terrific job of creating main and secondary characters with distinct personalities and keeping those personalities consistent throughout the story. The author slowly revealed the pasts of Dean and Ewan as their relationship grew deeper and more tangled.

Dean and Ewan’s emotions and interactions were intense. Sometimes too intense so that I had to put the book down because their anguish hurt too much. Especially poor Dean. He was such a loving person. When Dean gave his love, he gave it completely. When someone hurt or betrayed him, that hurt sliced him to pieces. And Dean suffered a lot of betrayal and disappointment. In love, it was Gaz who broke Dean’s heart more than once. But when Dean saw Ewan for the first time, it only took that one look for Dean to be all in, no matter what the cost. The thing about Dean’s life, was that every time a disaster happened, he had to reinvent himself. First the injury that ended his football career, then the multiple betrayals by Gaz that finally broke Dean and started him drinking until he sent in an application to participate in the cooking competition at Castle Largleith. And finally, the heart-wrenching breakup with Ewan that sent Dean off in another direction for his life. Despite of all the disappointments, Dean was resilient and found a way to rise again like a phoenix. I really loved Dean. I desperately wanted him to have his HEA.

As to Ewan, he was exceedingly stubborn. He was also like a tightly lidded pot with boiling water that was ready to erupt, so that when Dean entered Ewan’s life, Ewan couldn’t control himself. He was ashamed for wanting Dean so badly because he knew it could ruin Dean’s chances at winning the competition, and ruin his own reputation because he was the one with the power in their dynamic. Ewan was consumed by guilt from a past relationship and he couldn’t let go. He was punishing himself by not letting himself find happiness. When Ewan and Dean met, Ewan still wasn’t in the right emotional place to give his all to Dean, which was so, so, sad. I don’t want to spoil it by giving all the details on how their relationship progresses, but Ewan finally figures out what he wants, and Dean and Ewan get their HEA. I could absolutely believe in them as a couple.

Highland Fling is a deeply emotional story with beautiful descriptions of Scotland and competitive cooking. I loved Dean, and liked Ewan once he got his head on straight. I highly recommend this book. I give it 5 Stars.

I received a copy of this book from the author and am giving my honest and unbiased opinion.

Delicious boss-competitor, age-gap, forbidden MM romance between two chefs

Chef’s kiss! This book grabbed me from the start and sucked me into a delightful and delicious tale of two chefs, one of whom is competing for a place in the other’s high-class kitchen. Their forbidden attraction is strong and immediate and undeniable, and gets them into fabulous trouble, forcing both to face their hurts and fears and reach for something unexpected, if only they dare.

Dean Fraser’s done with cheaters and nervous about taking part in a competition to become part of the restaurant staff at a beautiful castle in Scotland. Ewan Grant’s done wallowing alone over the lover who left and is ready to hand off his 5-star destination restaurant to the person who wins his approval in a contest of unique chefs. He’s looking for a diamond in the rough, and that’s what he finds in Dean. Unfortunately Dean is also the tastiest looking snack Ewan’s seen in years, and he wakes Ewan’s desires from slumber at the worst possible time.

Dean wants this chance so much but knows he’s outclassed and out-experienced. With no formal training but a lot of unique work experience and his own passion for cooking, he’s made it to the castle, but even Dean doesn’t think he’s got what it takes to win. Still, he gives it his all, to surprisingly terrific results. His lack of training makes for intriguing choices based on his own tastes, and soon he’s blowing away the competition…and crushing hard on the boss.

Emotional, intense, lovely, and well-paced, this romance serves up a marvelous dish of temptation, desire, cooking, and falling in love, and I was entranced. Ewan's pain is palpable, and seeing Dean bring him to life is a beautiful thing. The setting is fabulous, the castle and grounds brooding and atmospheric, and the cast of characters are authentic and well-developed to enhance the read. No caricatures here, thank you! Dean’s sister and his new fellow-chef friend Aisha are particular favorites. And Dean’s persistent playboy ex adds tension at just the right times, although I could not stand him/hated seeing him on page. What a tosspot, ugh. He's supposed to be “nice” and “can’t help himself” but his pushiness was not for me.

The only drawback for me is the way the third-act breakup occurs, because I never took Dean for a quitter and it seemed an avoidance of a difficult choice. It’s a romance and all ends well, but, that sat wrong. I was also not *quite* sure nothing happened with Dean and the ex during that time, which felt awful. I don’t think so, but, could have used more clear understanding. The reunion and resolution were beautiful though. But dang, can there ever be a book where we *don’t* have to stay friends with the cheating ex?

HEA, forbidden romance, boss-competitor, age gap, cooking competition (not a reality show, but similar sensibility). No cheating, and while I *think* there’s no emotional cheating/sex with others, I wasn’t 100% certain, which left an uneasy feeling I can’t shake.

Overall though, a winner! Recommended.

My thanks to Booksprout for the complimentary copy. This opinion is all my own.

4 – 4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this book, definitely liked the characters and I love pretty much anything involving a cooking competition but it was the setting that absolutely blew me away with this book. I loved how everything was described and how this world was built, I felt like I was there with them. It was just magical.

Okay, now to the story, I truly enjoyed Ewan and Dean and immediately found myself rooting for them even though they are very different people at very different places in their lives. Ewan is getting ready to turn over his restaurant and say goodbye to his career, one that cost him his lover. And that’s exactly why Dean is there, he’s part of the competition for the kitchen and despite his lack of high end experience he’s determined to prove himself and win the opportunity of a lifetime. What neither man expects is to find smoking hot irresistible chemistry and passion and quite possibly deep love.

There’s a lot to this story, both of these men are complex characters and both have their own issues. Neither are really in a position to start a relationship, especially with each other but that doesn’t stop the feelings from developing. It’s definitely intense between these two. Their journey is definitely highly emotional, especially as we learn the reasons behind why Ewan is making these changes in his life. My heart broke a few times, especially in the time when Dean and Ewan are not together. It’s totally worth it though and I loved seeing them find the happiness and love they both so truly deserve.

This is definitely an engaging read, I felt invested in these two from start to finish and in the end my heart was happy! I loved the mix of food and cooking in there too, it really adds to their story and that mixed with the stunning setting and Dean and Ewan themselves makes for a very memorable book!

I found this series with the last book and am now kicking myself for not having picked them up sooner! I loved Dean and Ewan’s story, with its wonderful characters, and setting. Once I started, I didn’t want to put it down until they got their HEA.

I love Dean’s sibling relationship with his sister, and how much they’re a part of each other’s lives. I like how he’s forged a new career for himself, and connects with people, and genuinely cares. Poor Ewan’s been through a lot, but needs to move forward, rather than beat himself up with guilt over the past. Dean is exactly who he needs. They’re good for each other. I love how they build a friendship as well as their attraction, despite their knowing they should be keeping things professional.

The supporting cast is wonderful, and fully realised. I love Abi, Dean’s sister, and the love and support their family have for each other. Aishah, whom Dean meets at the castle is full of life, and I wasn’t surprised when they hit it off. Ewan’s Uncle Angus is a hoot. I love his sense of humour and support, and the things he’s achieving in his community.

Gaz really needs to grow a clue. He got more than irritating about how he wouldn’t accept that his and Dean’s relationship is over, but that makes his character more realistic. I liked how that side of things was resolved by the end of the story.

The rest of the staff at Ewan’s restaurant feel more like family. I like how, although they work for him, they give him advice he needs, whether he wants it or not.

Dean and Ewan’s HEA is very satisfactory. Loved it.

I need to play catchup with the rest of the series, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

Tags:easy to read, no angst, steamy, opposite attracts, grumpy versus sunshine, heartwarming, slow-paced, no cliffhanger.
This book is well-written and easy to read, with a straightforward plot set in a romantic castle in the Scottish highlands. The storyline revolves around two opposites, Ewan and Dean, who overcome the odds of the age gap, lifestyle, career status, and personality traits.
Ewan is a successful, famous, established chef, disappointed and emotionally broken, moody, distant, and lonely. Dean is his opposite. Despite challenges in his past and present, he is loyal and caring, dedicated to his family, and has a sunny and optimistic personality. Though they are both hurting from past relationships and betrayal, their attraction to each other is intense and instantaneous.
Both characters are charming in their own way, loveable and relatable. Their relationship dynamics and eloquent writing transform a straightforward plot into captivating reading. The differences in Dean and Ewans' personalities, ages, and lifestyles add enough tension to keep you turning pages from start to end.
Recommended for:This is a perfect choice for fans of easy-to-read and heartwarming romance with just the right dose of passion and tension to be engaging without overbearing.
Not so much:seekers of dark, dramatic, and suspenseful stories with complex characters and issues, suspense, and angst.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book. This review is an independent and genuine reflection of my thoughts.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Higland Fling is the sixth book in the Flying Into Love series by CF White, featuring a broody Scottish Chef, a lively, much younger, English aspiring Chef and a castle in the Scottish Highlands.

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿age gap
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿inappropriate relationship
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿grumpy/sunshine
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿opposites attract
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿found family
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿tw: alcoholism

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My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥🔥🔥

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Let me start by saying, anything that involves Scotland, I’m reading. BUT this really really exceeded my expectations. I absolutely adored every single page of this book. The atmosphere was so beautifully described and the author managed to perfectly capture the magic of the Scottish Highlands. It made me feel right at home. And oh my God! the Scottish speech was absolutely on pint! I loved all of the regionalisms in Ewan and Dean’s speech and they were 100% on point *chef’s kiss* (pun intended). the characters were amazingly written and with so much depth (seriously, who wouldn’t love to have a ginger, broody, kilted Scottish man in their life? I sure do). This book made me fall in love with my bonnie Scotland all over again💙. (Also, Ewan’s so real for taking the piss out of Dean for being English)

I received an ARC copy of Highland Fling from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for my honest review.

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“I’m risking everything right now.” Ewan’s voice was light and strangled, filled with repentance. “Every single thing I own and am. To kiss you.”

Scottish Highlander & Essex Boy

Ewan Grant, Head Chef and Owner of his own castle has decided he has had enough. He hasn’t dealt with his ex leaving him 3 years ago. He wants change. NOW.

As per his instructions, his Heads of Departments have been requested to find suitable applicants for the post of Head Chef. They’ve spent weeks compiling a list of highly qualified experienced and recommended possibilities. The final 20 are now awaiting his appearance in the Hotel Lobby.

Looking at the group his eyes re dawn to a tall, slender blond guy with his hair in a top knot. He stands out from the rest who are all suitably dressed for an interview.

Dean Frazier, from Southend in Essex, is in jeans and a thin T-shirt. He runs a Fish and Chip shop with his parents and he also has a Street Food Van on the seafront. Ewan thinks his staff are pranking him.

Little does he know what a talented cook Dean is and that is not all that he is either, as Ewan is about to find out. It was interesting reading of the fabulous dishes created to impress Ewan and watch the elimination process.

I loved the storyline and location in the Highlands of Scotland in this ‘ Flying Into Love’ series. Luckily they all seem to be standalone, as yet again I started on No. 6, this time. The earlier ones now join the long list on my TBR. Each one is set in a different country.

So the ‘ Highland Fling’ was one I really liked and would recommend.

There is mention of alcohol abuse, cheating ex’s, and a death.

Ewan owns a castle in the Scottish Highlands with a restaurant, selling a luxurious experience to his customers. But, he’s tired and lonely, so he wants to find a new chef and go travelling, fulfilling his ex’s bucket list.

Dean was a footballer who became a cook after he was injured, working at his parent’s restaurant and buying a food truck. He applies to be the chef one night when he’s drunk, and is shocked to pass the tests and be one of twenty being invited to the castle.

From the first day, Ewan and Dean notice each other, and though at first Ewan is skeptical, Dean is talented, even without any formal training.

They both know it’s impossible to be together, but after one kiss in the freezer, they keep drawing closer. They try to keep things separate, but it leads to secrecy about Ewan’s plans, and doubts on Dean’s part about his skills.

In the end, they argue and Dean leaves, but by then it’s too late, they’ve fallen in love. Ewan puts things in order, realizing he doesn’t owe his ex fulfillment of his bucket list, and once he shows up at Dean’s, they’re both ready to be together.

I loved this exciting romance, with interesting characters and a gorgeous setting for the story. Dean is great, a down to earth guy with a dream, and Ewan is enlivened by him after carrying the load of guilt about his dead ex.

I received this ARC for free, and am giving it my honest review with much appreciation.

Kilts, football (soccer) and food; who could want more?

Sometimes my reviews get a bit long and I know a lot of people don't read long reviews so I'm trying really hard to stop writing such long ones. This book really deserves all of the words I could write but I'm going to encourage you to read the blurb instead.

I was totally captivated by this story right from the start and absolutely hated that I couldn't read it all in one sitting as I prefer to do. Instead, I had to break it into two sessions and do some people-ing. The break didn't diminish my love of this wonderful couple, though. Dean and Ewan didn't get to their HEA without some work and distance.

I loved C F White's very descriptive writing; it made my mouth water even when I wasn't sure I'd like the food (I'm a horribly picky eater). The only thing that could make me love this book more would be to hear Ewan's Scottish brogue while listening to an audiobook. I don't know if that's going to happen but a girl can hope. 🥰

Fans of C F White's District Line series might recognize a few cameo appearances in Highland Fling. 😘

Note: this series is connected only by theme and they can be read in any order.

A copy of this book was provided to me at my request and my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

This was an enjoyable book to read. I really got into the characters of Dean and Ewan, and their hot relationship. Both characters had vulnerabilities from past relationships that were hard to let go, they had an instant attraction that was basically taboo in their current situation, but the chemistry was too strong to deny. Both are honorable men, knowing their relationship is wrong in these circ*mstances, but are still unable to resist the pull to be together, no matter the cost — or so they think. But trying to do the right thing has its own consequences.

Great world building in this book. I could easily visualize the Scottish Highlands, the castle, and the world behind the scenes in the kitchens as I read. There are believable and relatable characters, a situation which could be realistic, moral and ethical problems, and two damaged men desperately desiring that elusive thing missing in their lives, finding it in this unusual, problematic situation. There are times of humor, sadness, uncertainty, and hope, and lots of really hot kisses plus more. I found myself immersed in this castle in the Highlands, wanting to visit and soak up the atmosphere, walk the hallways, and dine on the delicious cuisine, plus see a kilt or two. Fun way to spend an afternoon.
4.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I had fun with the book, and enjoyed the time I spent with it.

The story itself was solid I'd say and I really liked both MCs. They felt real to me and were loveable both in their own ways.
A grumpy Scottish highlander is right up my alley^^ pair him with an absolutely sweetheart of ex football player now turned cook and participant of a cooking competition and we have a wonderful opposites attract.

I really fell in love with Dean who despise some harder parts in his life was a totally wonderful and mostly very upbeat and positive person. He is very loyal and kindhearted.

I was definitely rooting for those two and it nearly broke my heart when it didn't look too good for them to make it as a couple.

I loved reading the descriptions of the landscapes. Scotland is a dream vacation spot for me and CF managed to let me feel like I was there and could experience it myself. I wished I could have jumped onto a plane and flown there, I was so captivated.

What I didn't like too much was that it felt like the new relationship was overshadowed with the exes of those two. Especialky Gaz. But that may be something only I felt so don't let this stop you from giving the story a try.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and finished it satisfied and happy.

Abi Bubs & Peter

This is a sweet book, a touch sad at certain times, but still sweet. The storyline is engaging, intelligent, and enjoyable. And I really did enjoy it! The characters are well-developed and well-cast. The scenery is majestically crafted and there are steamy scenes.

Gruff, but wildly successful chef Ewan Grant holds a competition to find a new chef to take the reins in his Castle Largleith's restaurant, Buaireadh in Scotland. There is someone in the group of 20 entrants that catches his attention. A good-looking man who is unbelievably, seemingly unqualified to have even passed the initial vetting. The man? Dean Fraser, who works at his parents' greasy spoon diner and owns a food truck business in Essex, Southend seafront in England.

Dean stuns chef Ewan by cooking a meal for him that is amazingly visually appealing and delicious. Dean passes the muster. As the competition progresses, the two discover they have chemistry between them. They form a highly inappropriate work relationship. Later, Dean is led to believe he makes it as far as he does, although discreet about it, because of that connection.

I enjoyed everything about this book and have no qualms recommending it worthy of your reading list.

This is already book 6 in the stand alone 'Flying into Love' series.
This contemporary MM romance with a great flow has a hea for Dean and Ewan. The story takes mostly place at the fringes of a cooking competetion with a twist. However before they are finally there, each of them has to come to terms with actions, people and demons from their past. In the earlier part I got a bit annoyed with Ewan and his dealing of loss, but with getting more info on the how, what where I could sympathize more with him as a flawes human who has to want to work through things in a healthy way. A similar thing I had with Dean and his and Gary/Gaz their relationship. Finding out more on them and how long they have been in their lives I found the solution to their bond a good and realistic find. Now I am left with wanting a story for both Abi and one for Gary 😁
This was a good easy read with attraction, temptation and a true love you have to want to work for.
5-

I was kindly provided with a copy of this book by the author & I also purchased a copy.

2.5⭐️
I love the premise of this series, which sets each romance in new and beautiful location. Like the other books, I loved all the descriptions of the gorgeous Scottish Highlands. It’s a fun way to get a little taste of traveling from the comfort of home. The characters are well crafted, both Dean and Ewan are complicated and dimensional. I liked them together, their chef bonding was cute, and the chemistry was believable. However, to me there’s too much focus on Gaz, Dean’s ex. Dean’s ex, who is manipulative and a serial cheater. He’s not worth Dean’s time and it was quite frustrating that he was in the middle of Dean and Ewan’s story the whole time. Gaz is even featured in the final happy ending chapter. I’ve enjoyed a lot about this series. I did love the setting, they are beautifully written and really brought Scotland to life. The romance however, for me was spoiled because Dean had Gaz in his head pretty much the entire time.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I really enjoyed reading Highland Fling! Dean is such a great character. His love for his family, mainly his twin sister, Abi is so touching. Dean has had a bit of bad luck when it comes to love. HIs longtime boyfriend is a perpetual cheater. But Dean has finally kicked him to the curb, even if Gary doesn't admit it. Getting drunk and entering a contest to be a chef at a castle in Scotland, leads Dean to Castle Largleith and to Ewan. Ewan is the Chef in charge of Largleith and he is ready to pass it onto another qualified chef of his choosing. 20 people arrive at the castle to compete for the job. Dean quickly shows he is a great chef. The attraction both men feel is eventually too hard to fight and they secretly start a relationship.

But it eventually isn't smooth waters and Dean heads back home and Ewan has to figure out just exactly what he wants in his life. This IS a sweet, sexy, hot story about two talented chefs who end up cooking up a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

What a beautiful backdrop for a story - a beautiful castle in the Scottish highlands!

Ewan owns the castle and is the executive chef for the highly celebrated restaurant. Dean is the self taught greasy spoon cook who changed careers after an injury forced him to give up his dream of playing professional football (soccer to the American readers out there).

Dean secures a spot in a cooking competition to take over the restaurant, one of 20 out of thousands of applicants and is whisked away to the castle to compete in a ton of different challenges like Top Chef only not televised.

There’s a third act breakup which seriously frustrated me as it could have been avoided if our MCs had just spent 5 minutes talking about what they were feeling. Gaz needs to be thrown in a skip and left somewhere far away from Dean. This book was excellent and can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This one took a while for me to get into but was well worth sticking it out because it really is a beautiful emotional MM Romance. 2 men who have been hurt in the past find the zest and passion for life from each other along with the confidence in themselves. This one has all the heart and emotions and a warm fuzzy Happy Every After.

“…You saw something in me I didn’t believe was there.” “And you found something in me I thought I’d lost.” …Dean / Ewan

I loved the setting at Castle Largleith and the cast of characters but I think the Scottish Highland language took a while for my brain to get used to so that made this one a slow read for me and possibly the reason it took a bit longer for the story to grab me.

If you like cooking competitions, underdogs, forbidden love, age gap, gay footballers, kilts or just spicy fun than go ahead and add this entertaining story to your TBR list :).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Dean Fraser needs to win the position of Executive Chef in Ewan Grant's secluded and sought-after Highland restaurant. He expects he'll be eliminated when he sees who his competition is because he's just a guy cooking street food. The immediate chemistry between him and Ewan doesn't help, since he doesn't want any favors and can't afford to be seen as the man who sleeps his way to the top. But inevitably, both men give in to their passion, and when Ewan'ssecret plan is revealed, Dean breaks both their hearts by leaving. Now it is Ewan who must make the hard choice to show the man he loves that he's not willing to give up on what they've found together. I rounded it up because I loved the edge-of-my-seat feeling of wondering when they'd be caught, what would happen when they were, and how they would solve the problems that their relationship would cause. Their breakup hurt me as much as it did them.

BEST BOOK BY FAR!

Of all the books of the series this is the best book by far!

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.”—Harriet van Horne

Emotionally funny, poignant and sad all the emotions rolled into one amazing read!

Two passionate characters who love the creations of food but lost the confidence and worthiness in themselves find both in each other after meeting at Executive Chef Ewan Grants Castle Largleith who is looking for a chef to replace him out of twenty hopeful contestants …

“I think you might be all sorts of wrong wrapped up in all sorts of right.” “And I think you might be more persuasive than the drink.”

This is the sweet, passionate forbidden love story of Ewan Grant and Dean Fraser who find love in the highlands!

I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest review.

"I think you might be all sorts of wrong wrapped up in all sorts of right."

This one will certainly tug on your heart-strings. Very well written story that just sucks you right in...like a very good reality tv show....but without the cheap dramatics. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of angst and drama along with humour, romance and grumpiness......and the restraint between the MC's was so palpable, it was seriously getting me antsy !!!! Doesn't mean that the steam was just in the kitchen though ...hehehehehe Both MC's are charming and they have fought hard to get where they are ...and that next step seems so insurmountable .... but they do get their HEA, after the tears and "oh no he didn't" moments !! I absolutely adore this series and you can for sure read them as standalones !!

This was another good addition to the series of standalone stories, this is the story of Dean and Ewan who meet when Dean has been picked to compete in a cooking competition for a chance at a dream job and a fresh start, I don’t want to give away spoilers and the blurb is quite good so what I will say is this is a well written emotional story set in the Scottish highlands which the author describes well there is maybe slightly to much ex drama especially on Dean’s part but there great chemistry between Ewan and Dean and when the chemistry wins it brings plenty of steam and it was good to see them getting out of their own way and sorting out the bumps in the road. Well worth a read looking forward to the next story in this series.

Ewan and Dean’s story incorporates a number of compelling elements– if you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you mixed elements of a cooking competition with kitchen drama, an age gap romance, and some chosen family vibes…this is the story for you. There’s a lovely balance of heat and humor and heart– plus the characters, main and supporting, feel like vibrant, real individuals who are easy to care about. Both Ewan and Dean have their charms, but I’ll admit that Ewan’s stubbornness totally spoke to me– he’s got baggage and doesn’t always make good choices at first, but he’s easy to empathize with and it’s easy to love him for it.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Yum! Dean, suffers a football injury and his boyfriend's infidelity. He seeks escape to start over as the new chef at Castle Largleith. He has personal motivations, namely his little sister Abigail who is a peach. Ewan, Executive Chef, is looking to start over after losing his lover. But first, he must choose a new chef. Ewan, concucts a competition to choose the next Chef. Dean, has a natural talent that sets him apart from more seasoned chefs. Ewan and Dean, shouldn't work for all sorts of reasons least of which is Ewan can lose so much from a possible scandle of a relationship with a subordinate. There are all sorts of elements in the story that challenge and entertain the reader. Can Dean win for Abigail? Good story, nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I absolutely adore this series; CF White is allowing us to travel vicariously through her characters. The setting of this book is the top item on my travels’ bucket list: the Scottish Highlands.
This story is great, a rollercoaster of emotions due to the nature and power imbalance of the relationship between Ewan and Dean, doomed to fail from the beginning. I am not ashamed to admit that I got chocked up while reading it more than once.
As always this author gives us convincing, fallible, somewhat damaged characters, who always manage to trudge on and find the perfect lives and love for themselves, even if it’s not the path they originally set on.