Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn

 

 

Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn is the third book in the Suitcase Sisters series. I like this series focused on female friendships and travels. I especially enjoyed that this story was set in Scotland.

In Shortbread in the Highlands, Cousins Nora and Allie agree to travel to Scotland on behalf of their grandmother when she requests that they go and retrieve her diary that is part of an unexpected Scottish library inheritance she received. Nora and Allie face a few roadblocks both in their travels in getting to Scotland and once they are in Scotland. 

Nora and Allie are both adult women who have some struggles in their lives back home too. However, they both lead different lives and aren't sure the other can relate to their individual struggles. Through the story, though, they are drawn together to face their struggles--both together as they began to encourage each other and separately. It is also interesting to learn the grandmother's history in Scotland.

I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Scotland--the food, the countryside, the places that they went. As someone with some Scottish heritage, I found all of that to be quite interesting. Gunn does a wonderful job describing the area and helping the reader feel like they are there. 

While enjoyable, I did feel that Shortbread in the Highlands moved a bit slower than the previous two books in the series. I always enjoy the friendship aspect of these books but I found one woman to be more likable to me as a character than the other. They both also faced some spiritual struggles and faith was a part of the story line too. I like this Suitcase Sisters series and I hope that it continues on in a new location with fresh characters. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

This book releases on June 23, 2026 and is now available for pre-order.