: A nefarious man demands payment from James, following him to Scotland and posing a threat to him and those around him.

: After spending her life caring for everyone else, Lucy is desperate for a change. She accepts an invitation to visit her scandalous aunt in the Scottish Highlands, hoping for a holiday where she can finally live for herself.

: A man down on his luck, James is shocked to inherit an earldom, a debt-ridden manor, and a mountain of financial trouble. He travels to Scotland with the sole intention of selling the property to pay off a dangerous lender.

The romance is characterized by low-angst and charming banter, as the characters are notably honest with each other rather than relying on miscommunication tropes. The story eventually wraps up neatly, resolving the mystery of the missing aunt and James's debt troubles, ending with a happily-ever-after. ARC Review: Lady Meets Earl by Christy Carlyle