Review: If Things Were Different

It’s entirely possible that I squealed when I learned Megan McSpadden would be publishing a romance novel set in Scotland. I love her books and I love Scotland - OF COURSE I was excited. If Things Were Different was published last week and I absolutely adored it. If you’re a romance reader, you need to read this book.

Here’s the book’s description:

Blythe MacTavish misses her husband. Two years after his death and Scotland-bound to attend his sister’s wedding with her five-year-old daughter, she has never felt his absence more. Travelling solo with a child while grief threatens to undo all the progress she has made, she’s taken aback by the actions of a kind stranger somewhere above the Atlantic.

After a disappointing end to his rugby career and the death of both his parents two years ago, Sam Keefer was looking forward to being away from the bookstore he inherited but never wanted. A two-week trip to Scotland for his best friend’s wedding was the perfect chance for a reset.

Both Blythe and Sam have been living for ghosts. Stuck in limbo after losses that rocked their worlds. But when they find themselves at the same destination wedding, they realize they have a chance to escape real life for a little while. Even if it means breaking their shared rule of never hooking up at a wedding.

What starts as a week of no-strings-attached fun ends with two people struggling to let go of what they’d gotten a glimpse of. The one problem with breaking rules is that there are always consequences, and it doesn’t take long before Blythe and Sam are forced to confront them.

One of the best things about McSpadden’s books are the men. It’s also kind of the worst thing because her male main characters will ruin you for all other book boyfriends. They’re always such good men, flawed, of course, but genuinely good. They really see and respect the female main characters and you never have a single doubt that a relationship between the two would be a bad decision. It’s especially fun when she writes a MMC who, thanks to stereotypes, you might not think would be a walking green flag. A giant tattooed man who clearly takes care of his body, maybe an athlete? He couldn’t possibly be the love interest we need. But, oh, sweetie. He’s actually going to be the best guy you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting.

I’m never drawn to single-parent romances but McSpadden managed to create a kid and storyline that I was invested in from the get-go. It could be because I loved that Maggi was obsessed with the Loch Ness monster, as well as all other kinds of Scottish wee folk. I would happily go fairy hunting with the five year old. And so would Sam. I think that was a huge reason the storyline worked. He was all in on building a relationship with Maggi but also respecting the boundaries Blythe wanted to keep in place while they navigated the early stages of their relationship.

Niche storylines and characters I am drawn to? Rugby players. I don’t know why. I’ve never played and I don’t understand the sport. I hardly ever watch it. A lot of that is due to access and the fact that, while I care about a great many sports, I actually don’t watch many. BUT. If I were able to easily find games and make the time to watch a sport? Rugby would absolutely be up there. And I’m always tickled when a rugby player (or a former player) pops up in a romance. (I think I can thank Karina Halle for that.)

While this book is, at its core, a romance, there’s a lot of heaviness within the pages. That’s actually what makes it such a strong novel. McSpadden writes about grief so well. You truly feel what the characters are feeling and, even though you’re hurting right alongside them, McSpadden makes sure you (and they) are seeing that there’s hope in the world. Everyone is deserving of love, even if it hasn’t appeared quite in the way you’d expect.

If you’re also looking for a bit of armchair travel with your next romance, this one is perfect for your wanderlust. McSpadden loves Scotland, just as Blythe and Sam do, and that really comes through in this novel. I haven’t been as far north as this book ventures, but I’ve been to Edinburgh, and some of the surrounding areas, and it’s one of my favourite places on Earth.

I could go on and on (and on) about If Things Were Different but we don’t want to be here all day. Pick up a copy of Megan McSpadden’s latest book and find out for yourself why this is a romance I’m going to be recommending to everyone this year (and probably beyond). Seriously. Don’t miss out on this book!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*