In Long Shot by Hanna Martine, big city event planner Jen is returning the Gleann to try to save the Highland Games. The Highland Games are a big part of Gleann, and in the dying town, losing them would be disastrous. Gleann holds a special place in Jen’s heart…it was her summer solace, a place to escape her mother, and to just be Jen. Jen and her sister spent many summers in Gleann with their Aunt…Gleann holds a special place in Jen’s heart.
It is also the place where Jen would make a good friend in Leith…then eventually more than a good friend. But Jen couldn’t return Leith’s love at the young age of 18. She was determined to beverything her mother wasn’t, and this meant leaving Gleann and Leith, no matter what the cost. Jen hadn’t been back in years…and returning, the last person she expects to run into is Leith. Leith never left Gleann, but just as Jen is returning, even temporarily, Leith has already been planning to move on. For him it is time.
Leith has lot going on in his life, heart and mind…and seeing Jen stirs up so many old feelings for both of them. Leith is not sure he wants to risk anything again, knowing both of them will be leaving Gleann this time. But Leith finds he can’t stay away from Jen, and they slowly come to know each other again, finding what they thought was lost wasn’t. But between saving the Highland Games, Jen’s big city job, and Leith’s relocation is there any hope they can work things out?
Long Shot caught my eye for a few reasons! I was a Highland Dancer for many years, with many fond memories of many Highland Games, so I was really intrigued to see where Hanna would take us in Long Shot. I was a little disappointed that we didn’t see as much of the Games as we did the build up to them, the Highland Games in Long Shot actually take a secondary role to the relationship between Jen and Leith, and Jen and various other secondary characters in Long Shot. Hanna does give us a good description of what the Highland Games are, but I would have liked to spend a bit more time there, and feel more of the excitement of them.
Jen is a very determined, independent young lady. For most of Long Shot Jen’s focus is on her career and furthering it. That is her sole purpose, she is almost a little obsessive about it. I wouldn’t say she is selfish, she just has very definite goals about her life and how it should or shouldn’t be. Being back in Gleann could throw a wrench in Jen’s carefully laid plans and how she sees life though…and maybe for the better.
I would love to see Leith in a kilt! Hanna’s description of him really brings him to life and he is hot! Leith has not dealt with some life events very well, and he is hurting inside. Jen might just be the woman who can help him move on….
I really, really enjoyed some of the secondary characters in Long Shot! Especially the rugby players at the Highland Games! (OK, I have to admit I married a rugby player). So being well acquainted with these types of men, Hanna’s scenes with them were both realistic and hilarious! Especially the whiskey tent scene, which you will read all about in Long Shot!
Hanna kept me entertained, intrigued, and wondering if Jen could indeed not only save the Highland games, but make peace with why she avoids Gleann even when it has so much meaning for her. Even though Long Shot takes place in present time, from Hanna’s writing of Leith and Jen’s past relationship and younger years, you really get a feeling of how much they’ve both grown and matured since they last saw each other. Hanna will have you hoping that everyone you meet in Long Shot will get their HEA. I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
I’d recommend this for any romance reader, especially if you like small towns and men in kilts!
Book Info:
Published October 1st 2013 by Berkley
Jen Haverhurst is on the verge of becoming a partner in New York City’s top event-planning company when her sister calls begging for help. The New Hampshire town of Gleann—where they spent many happy childhood summers—is in danger of losing its main attraction, the Highland Games. Jen reluctantly agrees to take over running the Games, as well as helping with their aunt’s failing B&B. But she didn’t count on Leith MacDougall.
Before Jen left town ten years ago, Leith was a summer friend who grew into something much more. Since then, he’s become a legend of the Highland Games, winning three years in a row. Now retired, he’s just about ready to skip town to chase his own dreams of success.
But when Jen tries to convince Leith to stick around and help revive the Games, their youthful romance is revived into a very grown-up Highland affair…
FIRST IN A NEW SERIES!