Charlotte McGregor: Spice Up My Life
Highland Happiness #2

Spice Up My Life

A dash of romance, a pinch of mystery, a full serving of passion.

Michelin-starred chef Isla Fraser’s culinary reign over the Scottish Highlands is shaken by Rodney Swinton’s trendy new bistro mere miles away. In the quaint village of Kirkby, where flavor and feud simmer best together, Isla is thrown off guard even further when charming Jon Grant arrives to reopen the local pub.

As Jon and his lovable Newfoundland, Polly, move into her brother’s B&B, the stage is set for a delicious romance. The chemistry between Isla and Jon is undeniable the more their paths cross. Yet, Jon’s past connection with Rodney stirs Isla’s doubt instead of the flame of romance.

Can Isla trust the man who has effortlessly spiced up her life or will old grudges put a spoke in the wheel of their budding romance?

“Spice Up My Life” is the second novel in the “Highland Happiness” series. Brace yourself for a tantalizing tale of love, loyalty, and the irresistible flavor of chance encounters.

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Quick Profile

Spice Up My Life is a sensual Highland romance with food vibes, pub atmosphere, and a touch of cosy suspense: a Michelin-starred chef fights for her reputation and her trust—while the new pub landlord turns her carefully organised life upside down.

  • Genre: feel-good romance | Highland romance | small-town romance
  • Setting: Scottish Highlands, fictional Kirkby — centred around the old pub, Isla’s restaurant The Scottish Thistle, and the village rumour mill
  • Main characters: Isla Fraser (31, Michelin-starred chef with one clear goal: to be the best) & Jonathan “Jon” Grant (36, former ad man, rebuilding his life after burnout—of all things, as a pub landlord)
  • Mood: cosy, romantic, humorous, sensual—full of village dynamics, kitchen stress, animal charm, and heart-flutters
  • Tropes: Small Town • Opposites Attract • Fish Out of Water (city guy in the Highlands) • Slow Burn • Work/Life Reset • Business rivalry & envy • Found Family • Dog Companion
  • Heat level: medium (2-3 chillies) — few explicit open-door scenes
  • Happy ending: yes
  • Entry point: can be read as a standalone (with recurring characters from Book 1)

Who is this for?

Who is this for?

  • If you love Highland atmosphere: village life, community, weather, pubs, Highland charm
  • If you like romance built on everyday friction and gradual closeness (renovation chaos, settling in, learning to live with each other)
  • If you’re here for food vibes: fine dining, menus, restaurant pressure, culinary detail
  • If you enjoy fresh-start stories (leaving burnout behind, starting over, arriving for real)
  • If you love animal companions: Polly the Newfoundland, Elvis the cat—and a very unusual Highland “welcome”
  • If you like stories where it’s not only about love, but also trust, loyalty, and professional attacks

Not for you if…

  • You read strictly clean (this is clearly open door).
  • Burnout/stress/anxiety themes hit too hard.
  • You don’t want business conflict (rivalry, theft/sabotage suspicion, mistrust).
  • You’d rather avoid animal-in-distress / vet themes (see Content Note).

Tropes & Themes

  • Small-Town Romance: everyone knows everyone—and everyone has an opinion
  • Opposites Attract: high-pressure Michelin-star chef vs former ad man in reset mode
  • Fish Out of Water: the new pub landlord has to learn how Kirkby ticks
  • Slow Burn: spark, friction, real closeness—not overnight
  • Fresh start after burnout: boundaries, pace, new priorities
  • Business rivalry: fame, envy, stolen ideas—and the question: who can I trust?
  • Family & village network: the Frasers, friendships, loyalties—help arrives, but so does meddling
  • Animal charm as catalyst: Polly as the icebreaker (and chaos queen)

Series Context

The romance is self-contained and can be read without any prior knowledge. A loose overarching thread runs in the background since Book 1, but you don’t need it to enjoy the story. Chances are high you’ll fall for Kirkby and its residents and want to keep going.

Reading Order in Kirkby (chronological)

FAQ

Where is the story set?
In the Scottish Highlands—in the fictional village of Kirkby, centred around the pub, the restaurant, and village life.

Can I read this without any prior knowledge?
Yes. The love story is self-contained. Characters from Book 1 appear, but you don’t need to have read it.

What’s it about (low-spoiler)?
Isla Fraser is determined to reach the very top—until a new pub landlord arrives in Kirkby who doesn’t fit the village at all. While Polly softens Isla’s heart and Jon keeps turning up at The Scottish Thistle, rival chef Rodney Swinton appears to be cooking suspiciously close to Isla’s ideas. Then things happen at Isla’s restaurant that force her to ask: who’s playing dirty—and why?

Is it more romcom or more emotional?
The feel-good tone and humour are there, but it turns emotional once burnout, pressure, trust, and loyalty come into play.

How spicy is it?
2-3 chillies: sensual, open door, with multiple explicit scenes.

What role does the pub play?
It’s the heart of the plot: a fresh-start project, a village friction point—and a place where closeness (and rumours) grow.

Is there a lot of food in the book?
Yes. Kitchen life, menus, the restaurant and hospitality world are a real highlight—competition pressure included.

Do the animals really matter, or are they just decoration?
They matter. Polly is a genuine plot driver—and a rescue mission adds a very Kirkby-style twist.

Is there a happy ending?
Yes.

Formats & Publication Details

  • Formats: Paperback and eBook
  • ISBN paperback (Amazon): 9798313996332
  • ISBN paperback (wide): 97982325598927 [BITTE PRÜFEN: Hier wirkt eine Ziffer verrutscht.]
  • ASIN (Amazon eBook): B0D94SM5Z7
  • Language: English
  • Series: Highland Happiness Saga #2
  • Length: 364 pages
  • Publication date: 24 April 2025

Short Recommendation Copy

A Michelin-starred chef, a former ad man on a fresh-start mission, and a pub that shakes up Kirkby: between food vibes, village pressure, and a pinch of cosy suspense, a love story grows that must prove trust is stronger than rivalry.

Keyword Set

Kirkby • Scottish Highlands • Highland romance • small-town romance • feel-good romance • pub • pub renovation • Michelin-star chef • restaurant • The Scottish Thistle • burnout • fresh start • rivalry • recipe theft • sabotage • mistrust • found family • Polly (Newfoundland dog) • Nessie • Loch Ness • open door

Content Note

Contains (low-spoiler) burnout/stress themes (including anxiety/panic feelings), strong alcohol consumption (pub setting, drinking nights; including mention of a risk of alcohol poisoning), professional conflict around rivalry/envy and suspicion of theft/sabotage in a culinary context, a riding injury/bruise after a fall, and animal-in-distress at sea (rescue scene: animal in life-threatening danger in water, followed by vet care). Also includes multiple explicit open-door scenes.

Out now!