Beyond the Thistles cover art

Beyond the Thistles

The Highlands Series, Book 1

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Beyond the Thistles

By: Samantha Young
Narrated by: Shane East, Stella Hunter
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About this listen

He's a brooding bodyguard. She's a single mom on the run. And in a town this small, they can't hide from their fierce attraction....

It’s been a long time since Walker Ironside left behind Scotland and the memories that haunt him. Yet after years of traveling the world as a bodyguard, Walker misses his homeland enough to return. To a village in the Scottish Highlands that plays host to an exclusive members-only club, Ardnoch Estate. If not happy, Walker is content working with the elite security at the club and maintaining his bachelor lifestyle. What he doesn’t need is distraction in the form of the enticing but too-young newcomer, single mother Sloane Harrow.

Sloane never imagined she’d get pregnant at sixteen. Or that a decade later she’d escape from California with her daughter, Callie, to start over in the Scottish Highlands. Hidden and safe from Callie’s dangerous father, Sloane is satisfied with their new lives. Her daughter is happy. Sloane has a stable job, a quaint cottage, a passion for baking that might just be turning into a business, and a huge crush on brooding security guard Walker Ironside. Unfortunately, the grumpy Scot seems immune to Sloane’s charm, but she can’t help but try to seduce him with cupcakes and baked treats whenever the opportunity arises.

However, when someone arrives in Ardnoch intent on destroying Sloane’s life, Walker is the first to step forward to protect her and Callie. Even if it means giving into temptation and awakening his own demons. Because in doing so, Walker faces failing not only to shield Sloane from her past, but to safeguard her against his own.

©2023 Samantha Young (P)2023 Samantha Young
Contemporary Contemporary Romance Romance Romantic Suspense Highlander Suspense Scotland

What listeners say about Beyond the Thistles

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  • Overall
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Loved the ebook, loved the audiobook more!

This grumpy/sunshine, small town, age gap romance was very addictive. I loved the chemistry between Sloane and Walker, and all the twists and turns in their story made it hard to hit pause. The narrators did a perfect job of bringing the story to life. I can’t wait to read book 2 in the series when it’s out later this year.

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Tiktok influence

I picked this book up because I saw it all over Tiktok with people giving it 5 stars.

Please note, that there is another series by this author (The Adair Family Series) that has several characters that appear in that series in this book. They talk about things that happen to them in a way that the reader should already be slightly familiar with.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Shane Easts accent

This was my first Samantha Young book and I am hooked. There is just something so romantic about the highlands of Scotland. Loved the storyline and what a badass Sloane was as a fmc . And as usual Shane East was pure perfection he can do no wrong .

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Good listen

Enjoyed the heat and storyline kept me engaged. A recommended listen for sure. Well written too.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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🔥🔥🔥 love this book

The plot, the characters, the narrators really brought this story to life! Addicted to this series

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Beyond the thistles

Loved the story! And the Scottish accent is so good! Struggle a bit with the male narrator, but overall very recommended.

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Great story

This book is a slow burn but worth the wait. Couldn’t stop listening. Great story

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I found my new book boyfriend.

Single Mum / Grumpy / Sunshine trope and I’m here for itttttt!

Honestly, this book did not disappoint!
It has the perfect amount of everything and it’s all evenly spread out throughout the book so it doesn’t leave you feeling like too much is happening at once. If you enjoy a good single mum and her hero type of book with some grumpy/sunshine energy, you’ll enjoy this book! And if you don’t, you won’t haha.

Voice actors did an incredible job! They truly made it what it is, in the way they managed to bring the authors written word to life.

I have to say I wish there was a second book that continued on the story of Walker and Sloane, I really enjoyed them together.

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Really enjoyed

I really enjoyed this. I was a be apprehensive to start as I’d read a few not great reviews but I thought it was great. The story was captivating and there wasn’t really any filler so the story kept flowing. A beautiful love story and the narrators were fantastic.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Even better than the first

These were some fantastic listens. All the voice actors were fantastic, but especially the MMC, his raspy voice encapsulated in a Scottish accent! When listening to them in quick succession allows for them to seem somewhat formulaic, but each story is enjoyable in its own way and each couple is lovable. The men are always a ‘wee’ bit posessive and a whole lot protective. The books go through various tropes, each one just as fun with real emotional moments and some fun banter. The found family aspect is always a favourite of mine too. These three were all easily 4.5 stars, the optimal pallet cleansers.

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