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

Good listen

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

🔥🔥🔥 love this book

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

Beyond the thistles

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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.

Loved the ebook, loved the audiobook more!

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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.

Tiktok influence

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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 .

Shane Easts accent

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This audiobook had me hooked from the start. Beyond the Thistles is a deeply emotional, suspense-filled romance set in the Scottish Highlands, featuring a strong, protective heroine and a broody, reluctant hero.
Sloane’s strength and resilience shine through in every scene, and Walker’s internal struggle adds a layer of complexity that makes their dynamic so compelling. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the slow-burn romance had just the right amount of angst to keep me completely invested. The suspense thread weaved into the story adds intensity without overshadowing the romance, and the emotional growth both characters go through makes the ending feel well-earned. Narrators Shane East and Stella Hunter deliver standout performances, breathing life into both leads and capturing the emotional weight of every moment. Highly recommended for listeners who enjoy romantic suspense, grumpy/sunshine pairings, and stories that pack both heart and heat.

A Moody, Slow-Burn Highland Romance

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

Great story

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Love the actors! The story was a little too angsty for me the push and pull was hard to read I just wanted them to own it yeh !

Great 👍🏼

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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.

I found my new book boyfriend.

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